Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Share Computation Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share calculation:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	$ 247,756	$ (41,631)
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(406)	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders—basic	$ 247,350	$ (41,631)
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding	246,024	243,831
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share	$ 1.01	$ (0.17)
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share calculation:
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	$ (401)	$ 0
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders—diluted	$ 247,355	$ (41,631)
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Other	12	0
Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted net income (loss) per common share	248,700	243,831
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share	$ 0.99	$ (0.17)
Stock options
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Share-based payment arrangements	2,037	0
Restricted stock and restricted stock units
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Share-based payment arrangements	627	0