Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Share Computation Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share calculation:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	$ 17,996	$ (64,525)	$ 265,752	$ (106,156)
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(23)	0	(387)	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders—basic	$ 17,973	$ (64,525)	$ 265,365	$ (106,156)
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	247,521	244,482	246,782	244,124
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ (0.26)	$ 1.08	$ (0.43)
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share calculation:
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	$ (23)	$ 0	$ (382)	$ 0
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders—diluted	$ 17,973	$ (64,525)	$ 265,370	$ (106,156)
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Other (in shares)	63	0	52	0
Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted net income (loss) per common share (in shares)	251,635	244,482	250,199	244,124
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ (0.26)	$ 1.06	$ (0.43)
Stock options
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Share-based payment arrangements (in shares)	2,787	0	2,407	0
Restricted stock and restricted stock units
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Share-based payment arrangements (in shares)	1,264	0	958	0