{"id":27052,"date":"2022-10-18T12:05:07","date_gmt":"2022-10-18T12:05:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/?p=27052"},"modified":"2022-10-19T07:23:50","modified_gmt":"2022-10-19T07:23:50","slug":"varivax","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/medicines\/varivax\/","title":{"rendered":"Varivax &#8211; Varicella vaccine uses, dose and side effects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>powder and liquid for\u00a0injection,\u00a0suspension\u00a0in a pre-filled\u00a0syringe<br>varicella vaccine (live)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Varivax is and what it is used for<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Varivax is a vaccine used to protect adults and children against chichickenpoxaricella).\u00a0Vaccines are used to protect you or your child against infectious diseases.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Varivax can be administered to people 12 months of age or older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Varivax can also be administered to infants from 9 months of age under special circumstances, such as following national vaccination programs or in outbreak situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can also be given to people who have not had chickenpox, but who have been exposed to someone who has chickenpox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vaccination within 3 days of exposure can help prevent chickenpox or reduce the severity of the disease, resulting in fewer rashes and a shorter duration of illness.&nbsp;In addition, there is limited information that vaccination up to 5 days after exposure can reduce the severity of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As with other vaccines, Varivax does not completely protect all individuals from naturally acquired chickenpox.<br><a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What you need to know before you or your child receives Varivax<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do not use Varivax if:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>you or your child are allergic to any chickenpox vaccine, any other ingredient in this vaccine (listed in section 6), or\u00a0to neomycin\u00a0(which may be present as a trace residue).<\/li><li>you or your child have a blood disorder or any type of\u00a0cancer including\u00a0leukemia\u00a0and\u00a0lymphoma\u00a0that affects the immune system.<\/li><li>you or your child are receiving\u00a0immunosuppressive\u00a0treatment (including high\u00a0doses\u00a0of\u00a0corticosteroids\u00a0).<\/li><li>you or your child have a disease (eg human immunodeficiency virus (\u00a0HIV\u00a0) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (\u00a0AIDS\u00a0)) or take any medicine that weakens the immune system.\u00a0Whether you or your child receives the vaccine depends on the level of your immune system.<\/li><li>you or your child has a family member who was born with a compromised immune system, or if there were nowno prepreviousmily members with a compromised immune system.<\/li><li>you or your child have active, untreated\u00a0tuberculosis\u00a0.<\/li><li>ou or your child has a temperature that exceeds 38.5\u00b0C.\u00a0However, a low fever alone is not a reason not to get vaccinated.<\/li><li>you are pregnant\u00a0In addition, pregnancy should be avoided for 1 month after vaccination.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Warnings and precautions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In rare cases, it is possible to get chickenpox, including severe chickenpox, from a person who has been vaccinated with Varivax.&nbsp;This can happen to people who have not previously been vaccinated or had chickenpox and people who belong to any of the following categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>people with weakened immune systems.<\/li><li>pregnant women who have never had chickenpox.<\/li><li>newborn babies whose mothers never had chickenpox.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Whenever possible, people who have been vaccinated with Varivax should try to avoid close contact with anyone belonging to any of the above categories for up to 6 weeks after vaccination.&nbsp;Tell the doctor if there is anyone belonging to any of the above categories who are expected to be in close contact with the person being vaccinated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before you or your child receive Varivax:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>if you or your child has a weakened immune system (e.g.\u00a0HIV\u00a0infection\u00a0)\u00a0.\u00a0ou or your child should be closely monitored as the response to the vaccine may not be sufficient to ensure protection against the disease (see section 2 &#8220;Do not use Varivax&#8221;).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other medicines (or other vaccines) and Varivax<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you or your child are taking or have recently taken any other medicines (or other vaccines).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If any other type of vaccine is planned to be given at the same time as Varivax, the doctor or healthcare professional will inform you whether or not this vaccine can be given.\u00a0Varivax can be given at the same time as the following routine childhood vaccinations: measles, mumps an,d rubella vaccine (MPR), vaccines against\u00a0Haemophilus influenzae\u00a0type b,\u00a0hepatitis\u00a0B,\u00a0diphtheria\u00a0, etanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and oral polio vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vaccination should be delayed for at least 5 months after blood or plasma transfusions,&nbsp;administration&nbsp;of normal human&nbsp;immunoglobulin&nbsp;(a&nbsp;sterile&nbsp;solution of naturally produced&nbsp;antibodies&nbsp;taken from donated human blood), or after&nbsp;varicella zoster&nbsp;immunoglobulin&nbsp;(VZIG) has been given.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After vaccination with Varivax, you or your child should not receive any\u00a0immunoglobulin\u00a0, ncluding VZIG, for 1 month after vaccination unless the doctor decides it is necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vaccinated people should avoid products containing acetylsalicylic acid for 6 weeks after vaccination with Varivax as this can cause a serious condition called Reye&#8217;s syndrome which can affect all organs of the body.<a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pregnancy and breastfeeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Varivax should not be given to pregnant women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are pregnant or brebreastfeedinghink you may be pregnant or, are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this vaccine.\u00a0It is also important that you do not become pregnant within a month of receiving the vaccine.\u00a0During this time, you must use effective contraception to avoid pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Inform the doctor if you are brebreastfeeding if you intend to brebreastfeedhe doctor will decide whether you should receive Varivax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Driving ability and use of machinery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no information to suggest that Varivax affects your ability to drive or use machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You yourself are responsible for assessing whether you are fit to drive a motor vehicle or perform work that requires increased attention.&nbsp;One of the factors that can affect your ability in these respects is the use of drugs due to their effects and\/or&nbsp;side effects&nbsp;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Description of these effects and&nbsp;side effects&nbsp;can be found in other sections.&nbsp;Read all the information in this leaflet for guidance.&nbsp;Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.<a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Varivax contains sodium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of&nbsp;sodium&nbsp;per&nbsp;dose&nbsp;, i.e. it is almost &#8220;sodium-free&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Varivax contains&nbsp;potassium<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This medicine contains less than 1 mmol (39 mg) of&nbsp;potassium&nbsp;per&nbsp;dose&nbsp;, i.e. it is almost &#8220;potassium-free&#8221;.<br><a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Varivax is given<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Varivax will be administered by a doctor or healthcare professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Varivax is given as an&nbsp;injection&nbsp;as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Infants from 9 months to 12 months of age:In special circumstances (in accordance with national vaccination programs or in case of chickenpox outbreaks) Varivax can be administered between 9 and 12 months of age.&nbsp;To ensure optimal protection against chicken pox, two&nbsp;doses&nbsp;of Varivax are needed and they should be given at least three months apart.<\/li><li>Children from 12 months to 12 years of age:To ensure optimal protection against chickenpox, two&nbsp;doses&nbsp;of Varivax should be given at least one month apart.<\/li><li>Children from 12 months to 12 years of age with asymptomatic HIV:Varivax should be given as two&nbsp;doses&nbsp;by&nbsp;injection&nbsp;12 weeks apart.&nbsp;Ask the healthcare professional for further information.<\/li><li>Teenagers from the age of 13 and adults:Varivax is given as two&nbsp;doses&nbsp;or as an&nbsp;injection&nbsp;.&nbsp;The second&nbsp;dose&nbsp;should be given 4 to 8 weeks after the first&nbsp;dose&nbsp;.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The number of&nbsp;doses&nbsp;and the timing of the&nbsp;doses&nbsp;must be determined by your doctor based on official recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Varivax should not be given to children under 9 months of age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Varivax should be injected into the muscle or under the skin, either in the outer part of the thigh or in the upper arm.&nbsp;For young children,&nbsp;injection&nbsp;into the muscle, in the thigh is preferred, for older children and adults the upper arm is recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a clotting disorder or low levels of&nbsp;platelets&nbsp;, an&nbsp;injection&nbsp;will be given under the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The doctor or healthcare professional will make sure that Varivax is not injected into a blood vessel.<a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you have used too much Varivax&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Overdose is very unlikely as the vaccine is supplied in vials containing a single dose and is given by a doctor or healthcare professional.<a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you think you have missed a dose of Varivax<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact your doctor who will determine if you need a&nbsp;dose&nbsp;and when it should be given.<a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Possible side effects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Like all vaccines and medicines, this vaccine can cause&nbsp;side effects&nbsp;, but not all users will get them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Very rarely (reported by fewer than 1 in 10,000 people), a serious&nbsp;allergic reaction&nbsp;may occur with symptoms that may include swelling of the face, low&nbsp;blood pressure&nbsp;and difficulty breathing, with or without a rash.&nbsp;These reactions often occur very soon after&nbsp;injection&nbsp;one.&nbsp;If any of these symptoms or other serious symptoms are observed after vaccination, you should see a doctor immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following rare or very rare side effects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>if you bleed or bruise more easily than usual;&nbsp;red or purple, flat, pinhead-sized spots under the skin, very pale skin<\/li><li>severe skin rashes, sores and blisters that may involve the eyes, mouth and\/or genitals;&nbsp;red, often itchy spots that start on the&nbsp;extremities&nbsp;and sometimes on the face and the rest of the body, (Stevens\u2013Johnson syndrome; erythema multiforme)<\/li><li>muscle weakness, abnormal sensation, crawling in the arms, legs and upper body (Guillain\u2013Barr\u00e9 syndrome)<\/li><li>fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, stiff neck and sensitivity to light (&nbsp;meningitis&nbsp;)<\/li><li>stroke<\/li><li>seizures with or without fever<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The following&nbsp;side effects&nbsp;have been observed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Very common reactions&nbsp;<em>(reported by more than 1 in 10 people)<\/em>&nbsp;were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>fever<\/li><li>redness of the skin at the injection site, pain\/tenderness to the touch\/tenderness and swelling<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Common reactions&nbsp;<em>(reported by less than 1 in 10 but more than 1 in 100 people)<\/em>&nbsp;were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>upper respiratory&nbsp;tract infection (nose, throat, airways)<\/li><li>irritability<\/li><li>rash, rash with flat, red skin and small confluent nodules, chickenpox-like rash<\/li><li>rash at the injection site,&nbsp;itching&nbsp;at the injection site<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Uncommon reactions&nbsp;<em>(reported by fewer than 1 in 100 but more than 1 in 1,000 people)<\/em>&nbsp;were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>headache, drowsiness<\/li><li>watery and itchy eyes with crusted eyelids (&nbsp;conjunctivitis&nbsp;)<\/li><li>cough, nasal congestion, congestion in the chest, runny nose, loss of appetite<\/li><li>upset stomach with vomiting, cramps, diarrhea caused by&nbsp;viruses<\/li><li>diarrhoea, vomiting (&nbsp;gastroenteritis&nbsp;)<\/li><li>ear infection, sore throat<\/li><li>crying, insomnia, sleep disturbances<\/li><li>chicken pox rash caused by&nbsp;virus&nbsp;, viral disease, skin inflammation, skin redness, hives<\/li><li>weakness\/fatigue, general malaise, injection site reactions such as hives, numbness, bleeding, bruising, hardened raised skin area, feeling warm, warm to the touch<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Rare reactions&nbsp;<em>(reported by fewer than 1 in 1,000 but more than 1 in 10,000 people)<\/em>&nbsp;were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>swollen&nbsp;glands&nbsp;, the person bleeds or bruises more easily than normal<\/li><li>restlessness, sleeping too much, difficulty walking, febrile convulsions, tremors<\/li><li>swelling of eyelids, irritated eyes<\/li><li>earache<\/li><li>stuffy nose sometimes with throbbing pain and pressure or pain in the face (sinusitis), sneezing, runny nose (rhinitis), wheezing, lung-related swelling of the airways (&nbsp;bronchitis&nbsp;), lung infection, severe lung infection with fever, chills, cough, chest tightness and shortness of breath (&nbsp;pneumonia&nbsp;)<\/li><li>flu-like illness<\/li><li>stomach ache, upset stomach and nausea, blood in the stool, mouth ulcers<\/li><li>redness&nbsp;, blisters, skin problems (including bruising and hives)<\/li><li>muscle\/bone pain, aching muscles, stiffness<\/li><li>injection site reactions such as skin color changes<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Side effects&nbsp;that have been reported since the introduction of Varivax to the market are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>disease affecting the nervous system (brain and\/or spinal cord) such as sunken facial muscles and drooping eyelids on one side of the face (Bell&#8217;s palsy), unsteady gait, dizziness, crawling or numbness in the hands and feet, inflammation of the brain (&nbsp;encephalitis&nbsp;),&nbsp;meningitis&nbsp;not caused by bacterial infection (aseptic&nbsp;meningitis&nbsp;)<\/li><li>shingles&nbsp;, sore throat (&nbsp;pharyngitis&nbsp;), purple or reddish-brown spots visible through the skin (Henoch\u2013Sch\u00f6nlein purpura), secondary bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissues such as (such as&nbsp;cellulitis&nbsp;), chicken pox (varicella),&nbsp;aplastic anemia&nbsp;, which may include: easier to less bruising than normal;&nbsp;red or purple, flat, pinhead-sized spots under the skin, very pale skin.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Varivax should be stored<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep this vaccine out of the sight and reach of children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use before the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The expiration date is the last day of the specified month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Store and transport cold (2\u00b0C\u20138\u00b0C).&nbsp;Do not freeze.&nbsp;Store the vial in the outer carton.&nbsp;Light sensitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After&nbsp;preparation&nbsp;, the vaccine should be used immediately.&nbsp;The shelf life of the ready-made vaccine is 30 minutes between +20\u00b0C and +25\u00b0C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vaccines should not be thrown down the drain or among household waste.&nbsp;Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of vaccines that are no longer used.&nbsp;These measures will help to protect the environment.<a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contents of the packaging and other information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contents declaration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The active substance is:<\/strong>&nbsp;live attenuated varicella virus (strain Oka\/Merck) (produced in MRC\u20115 human diploid cells).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each 0.5 ml&nbsp;dose&nbsp;of reconstituted vaccine contains: at least 1,350 PFU (plaque forming units) varicella virus (strain Oka\/Merck).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Other ingredients are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em><u>Powder:<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sucrose, hydrolysed gelatin, urea, sodium chloride,&nbsp;sodium&nbsp;-L-&nbsp;glutamate&nbsp;, anhydrous disodium phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate and potassium chloride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Residual components in trace amounts:&nbsp;neomycin&nbsp;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em><u>Diluent:<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Water for injections<a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Appearance and package sizes of the medicine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Preparation form: powder and liquid for&nbsp;injection&nbsp;,&nbsp;suspension<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The vaccine consists of a white to off-white powder in a&nbsp;vial&nbsp;and a clear colorless liquid solution in a pre-filled&nbsp;syringe&nbsp;.&nbsp;The product is available in packs of one or 10 doses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The liquid supplied is a pre-filled&nbsp;syringe&nbsp;with water for injections.&nbsp;The package may also contain two separate needles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all pack sizes may be marketed.<a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Marketing authorization holder and manufacturer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Marketing Authorisation Holder:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme BV<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Waarderweg 39<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2031 BN Haarlem<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Netherlands<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Manufacturer responsible for batch release<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme BV<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Waarderweg 39<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2031 BN Haarlem<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Netherlands<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This medicine is authorized in the European Economic Area and in the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) under the names:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>WAX WAX<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Belgium;&nbsp;Bulgaria;&nbsp;Cyprus;&nbsp;Denmark;&nbsp;Estonia;&nbsp;Finland;&nbsp;France;&nbsp;United Kingdom (Northern Ireland);&nbsp;Greece;&nbsp;Ireland;&nbsp;Iceland;&nbsp;Italy;&nbsp;Croatia;&nbsp;Latvia;&nbsp;Lithuania;&nbsp;Luxembourg;&nbsp;Malta;&nbsp;Norway;&nbsp;Poland;&nbsp;Portugal;&nbsp;Romania;&nbsp;Slovakia;&nbsp;Slovenia;&nbsp;Spain;&nbsp;Sweden;&nbsp;Czech Republic;&nbsp;Germany;&nbsp;Hungary;&nbsp;Austria<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>TRIAL WAX<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Netherlands<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Varivax is a vaccine used to protect adults and children against chicken pox (varicella).\u00a0Vaccines are used to protect you or your child against infectious diseases.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2200,22502],"tags":[27062,27065,27058,27059,27061,27066,27057,27064,27060,27063],"class_list":["post-27052","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-medicines","category-v","tag-benefits-of-varicella-vaccine","tag-benefits-of-varivax","tag-varicella-vaccine","tag-varicella-vaccine-side-effects","tag-varivax","tag-varivax-side-effects","tag-what-is-varicella-vaccine","tag-what-is-varivax","tag-what-varicella-vaccine-is-used-for","tag-what-varivax-is-used-for"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27052","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27052"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27052\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27251,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27052\/revisions\/27251"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27052"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27052"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27052"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}