Cover Page - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2021
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	000-19319
Entity Registrant Name	VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC / MA
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MA
Entity Tax Identification Number	04-3039129
Entity Address, Address Line One	50 Northern Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	Boston
Entity Address, State or Province	MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	02210
City Area Code	617
Local Phone Number	341-6100
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share
Trading Symbol	VRTX
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 51.6
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		254,576,691
Documents Incorporated by Reference	Portions of the definitive proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which we expect to hold on May 18, 2022, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Entity Central Index Key	0000875320
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false