Varicella virus (chickenpox) vaccine
Generic name: varicella virus (chickenpox) vaccine [ VAR-i-SEL-a-VYE-rus-vax-EEN ]
Brand name: Varivax
Dosage form: subcutaneous powder for injection (-)
Drug class:Viral vaccines
What is varicella virus vaccine?
Varicella (commonly known as chickenpox) is a common childhood disease that causes fever, skin rash, and a breakout of fluid-filled blisters on the skin.
Varicella virus vaccine is used to help prevent this disease in adults and children who are at least 12 months old.
This vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus or a protein from the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
Like any vaccine, varicella virus vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.
Warnings
You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot. You should also not receive this vaccine if you have an infection or any illness with fever, active tuberculosis that is not being treated, or a weak immune system.
You should not receive this vaccine if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy for 3 months after receiving a varicella vaccine.
Before taking this medicine
You should not receive this vaccine if you are allergic to gelatin or neomycin, or if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing varicella.
You should also not receive this vaccine if you have:
an infection or any illness with fever;
active tuberculosis that is not being treated;
a weak immune system caused by disease (such as cancer, HIV, or AIDS), or by receiving certain medicines such as steroids, chemotherapy or radiation; or
if you are pregnant.
May cause birth defects. Do not receive varicella vaccine if you are pregnant. You must use effective birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
To make sure varicella vaccine is safe for you, tell your doctor if:
you have a weak immune system;
someone in your household has a weak immune system; or
you have recently had a blood transfusion or have received an immune globulin or other blood products.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using varicella virus (chickenpox) vacc...
