( CNN ) -- Actress Angelina Jolie is missing the premiere of her own film Unbroken because she says she has been diagnosed with chickenpox . She made the announcement in a video in which pink spots were visible on her face , neck and upper body . `` I just wanted to be clear and honest about why I will be missing the 'Unbroken ' events in the next few days , which is that I found out last night that I have chickenpox . So , I will be home itching and missing everyone . And I ca n't believe it 'cause this film means so much to me , '' she says in the video published to Universal Studios Entertainment 's verified Facebook page on Friday . Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease . It is caused by the varicella zoster virus . Babies who do n't get vaccine still benefit . The virus causes an itchy blister-like rash that can be dangerous , particularly for people who get it late in life . It is an airborne virus , so that means it can spread by breathing in the virus particles that come from the chicken pox blisters . Chickenpox has become more rare since so many children have been vaccinated for it . The vaccine first became available in 1995 . Prior to availability of the vaccine , about 4 million people would catch it each year , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . About 100 to 150 died each year . More than half of those deaths involved adults . For adults who get chickenpox , there can be more serious complications like pneumonia . It can also be more severe for infants who get it . For most people , especially for otherwise healthy children , it is a mild disease . Other symptoms include a loss of appetite , headache , tiredness and fever . Angelina Jolie fascinating photograph . If you 've been vaccinated for it you should be immune . Typically , children get a first round of the vaccine when they are 12 to 15 months old . They get a second dose between the age of 4 and 6 . If you 've had chickenpox before , you should have immunity for life . If you have n't had it , and you have n't been vaccinated , it is not too late . The CDC suggests even as an adult you should talk to your doctor about getting the vaccine .
Actress Angelina Jolie will miss her premiere due to a case of the virus . It 's good that she is staying home since the virus is highly contagious . Spreads by itself ; dangerous to people who have n't seen it before or who have n't been vaccinated .