Adult Dosing

Immunization

• 0.5 mL SC x2 doses; administer second dose 4-8 wks later

Pediatric Dosing

Immunization

• 12 months-12 yrs
• 0.5 mL SC x2 doses; administer second dose minimum 3 months apart
• 1st immunization at 12 to 15 months and second dose at 4-6 years or before age 4 if at least 3 months have passed since 1st dose

Immunization

• >13 yrs
• 0.5 mL SC x2 doses; administer second dose 4-8 wks later

• Vaccination against varicella in individuals 12 months of age

• Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of the product
• Hypersensitivity to gelatin
• History of anaphylactoid reaction to neomycin
• Blood dyscrasias
• Leukemia
• Lymphomas
• Malignant neoplasms affecting the bone marrow
• Malignant neoplasms affecting the lymphatic systems
• Individuals on immunosuppressive therapy
• Primary and acquired immunodeficiency states
• Patients immunosuppressed in association with AIDS or other clinical manifestations of infection with human immunodeficiency virus²³, cellular immune deficiencies, and hypogammaglobulinemic and dysgammaglobulinemic states
• Familial history of congenital or hereditary immunodeficiency, unless the immune competence of the potential vaccine recipient is exhibited
• Active untreated tuberculosis
• Any febrile respiratory illness
• Active febrile infection
• Pregnancy

• N/A

Renal Dose Adjustment

• Renal impairment: Dose adjustments not defined

Hepatic Dose Adjustment

• Hepatic impairment: Dose adjustments not defined

• Take utmost care for safe and effective use of varicella virus vaccine live. Question the patient, parent, or guardian about reactions to a previous dose of this vaccine or a similar product. Obtain the previous immunization history of the vaccine. Avoid injecting into a blood vessel
• Keep ready adequate treatment provisions, including epinephrine injection (1:1000) for immediate use on occurrence of anaphylactoid reactions
• The duration of protection from varicella infection after vaccination is unknown. It is also unknown whether varicella vaccine live given immediately after exposure to natural varicella virus will prevent illness
• Delay vaccination for at least 5 months following blood or plasma transfusions, or administration of immune globulin or varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG)
• Avoid administration of any immune globulin, including VZIG for 2 months following administration of varicella vaccine live unless its use outweighs the benefits of vaccination
• Avoid use of salicylates for 6 wks after vaccination as Reye's Syndrome may occur following the use of salicylates during wild-type varicella infection
• Safety and efficacy have not been established in children and younger adults known to be infected with HIV with and without evidence of immunosuppression
• Delay vaccination in patients having a familial history of congenital or hereditary immunodeficiency until the patient's own immune system has been evaluated
• Use a separate sterile needle and syringe for administration of each dose of the vaccine to prevent transfer of infectious diseases
• Dispose needles properly and avoid recapping
• Post-marketing surveillance reveals that transmission of vaccine virus may occur rarely between healthy vaccines that develop a varicella-like rash and healthy susceptible contacts. Advice vaccine recipients to avoid, whenever possible, close association with susceptible high-risk individuals for up to 6 wks. Where contact with high-risk individuals is unavoidable weigh the potential risk of transmission of vaccine virus against the risk of acquiring and transmitting natural varicella virus
• Avoid pregnancy for 3 months following vaccination

Pregnancy Category:C

Breastfeeding: As per centers for disease control and prevention and the several health professional organizations vaccines given to a nursing mother does not affect the safety of breastfeeding for mothers or infants and breastfeeding is not a contraindication to varicella vaccine. Vaccinate breastfed infants according to the routine recommended schedules. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 23 March 2011). Manufacturer advises caution.

• IMMU: Anaphylaxis
• LOCAL: Pain, soreness, swelling, hematoma, induration, stiffness, lesions
• RESP: Upper/lower respiratory illness, cough, pneumonitis
• CNS: Irritability, nervousness, fatigue, disturbed sleep, headache, malaise
• GI: Diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation
• DERM: Erythema, rash, pruritus, hives, heat rash, eczema, dry skin, dermatitis, itching
• EENT: Otitis, eye complaints
• MUSC: Myalgia, arthralgia
• MISC: Fever, teething, lymphadenopathy, chills, stiff neck

• Vaccine; precise mechanism of action unknown; induces antibody formation
• Metabolism: Other; CYP450: Unknown
• Excretion: Other
• Half-life: Unknown

US Trade Name(s)

• Varivax

US Availability

Varivax

• INJ: 1350 plaque-forming units (PFU)/0.5 mL

Canadian Trade Name(s)

• Varivax III

Canadian Availability

Varivax III

• PWDR for INJ: 1350 plaque-forming units (PFU)/0.5 mL

UK Trade Name(s)

• Varivax

UK Availability

Varivax

• INJ: 1350 plaque-forming units (PFU)/0.5 mL

Australian Trade Name(s)

• N/A

Australian Availability

• N/A

Allergy & Immunology

Vaccines

Viral

Infectious Disease

Vaccines

Viral