Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Share Computation Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share calculation:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	$ 128,746	$ (102,952)	$ 546,369	$ 162,800
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(14)	0	(161)	(203)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders—basic	$ 128,732	$ (102,952)	$ 546,208	$ 162,597
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	254,905	250,268	254,096	247,963
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ (0.41)	$ 2.15	$ 0.66
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share calculation:
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	$ (13)	$ 0	$ (158)	$ (200)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders—diluted	$ 128,733	$ (102,952)	$ 546,211	$ 162,600
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Employee stock purchase program (in shares)	25	0	20	228
Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted net income per common share (in shares)	259,788	250,268	258,972	252,095
Diluted net income attributable to Vertex per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.50	$ (0.41)	$ 2.11	$ 0.64
Stock options
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Share-based payment arrangements (in shares)	2,962	0	2,990	2,700
Restricted stock and restricted stock units (including PSUs)
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Share-based payment arrangements (in shares)	1,896	0	1,866	1,204