Varicella Virus Vaccine Live
Class: Vaccines
ATC Class: J07BK01
VA Class: IM100
Brands: Varivax
Varicella Virus Vaccine Live is also contained as an ingredient in the following combinations:
Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella Virus Vaccine Live
Introduction
Live, attenuated virus vaccine. Varicella virus vaccine live contains varicella zoster virus (VZV) of the Oka/Merck strain and is used to stimulate active immunity to varicella (chickenpox). Commercially available in the US as a monovalent vaccine (Varivax) and a fixed-combination vaccine containing measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella antigens (MMRV; ProQuad). Other varicella vaccines may be available in other countries (e.g., Oka/Biken vaccine).
Uses for Varicella Virus Vaccine Live
Prevention of Varicella (Chickenpox) Infection
Prevention of varicella (chickenpox) in adults, adolescents, and children ≥12 months of age.
Varicella is caused by primary infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV). In otherwise healthy children, varicella usually is an acute, self-limited disease characterized by fever, malaise, and a generalized vesicular rash consisting of 200–500 lesions. In neonates, adolescents, adults, and immunocompromised individuals, it may be a more serious illness associated with a greater number of lesions and an increased risk of complications (e.g., pneumonia, encephalitis, glomerulonephritis, bacterial superinfection including necrotizing fasciitis). In the past, there were an average of 4 million cases of varicella and 100–150 varicella-associated deaths each year in the US. Since 1995, when varicella vaccine became commercially available, there have been substantial decreases in the incidence of varicella and varicella-associated hospitalizations in the US in all age groups, especially in children 1–9 years of age. The number of hospitalizations and deaths from varicella decreased >90% in the US since 1996.
USPHS Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), AAP, and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommend that all susceptible children 12 months through 12 years of age be vaccinated against varicella, unless the vaccine is contraindicated. (See Contraindications under Cautions.)
ACIP, AAP, AAFP, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and American College of Physicians (ACP) recommend that all susceptible adults and adolescents ≥13 years of age be vaccinated against varicella, unless contraindicated. (See Contraindications under Cautions.)
For internationally adopted children whose immune status is uncertain, vaccinations can be repeated or serologic tests performed to confirm immunity. Because varicella vaccine is not available in the majority of countries, especially developing countries, all internationally adopted children without reliable evidence of varicella immunity should be vaccinated according to the US recommended immunization schedule. (See Dosage and Administration.) Although serologic testing to verify immunization status in children >12 months of age is av..
