VARICELLA (CHICKENPOX) Vaccine

Vericella or chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). Varicella vaccine is indicated for active immunisation against varicella in healthy subjects and their susceptible healthy close contacts from the age of 12 months onwards.P/K: Varicella vaccine produces an attenuated clinically inappearent varicella infection in susceptible subjects.It is a lyophilised preparation of the live attenuated Oka strain of varicella-zoster virus, obtained by propagation of the virus in MRC5 human diploid cell culture. Each dose of reconstituted vaccine contains not less than 103.3 plaque forming units (PFU) of the attenuated varicella-zoster virus.

Indications

Healthy subjects : Active immunization from the age of 12 months onwards. Susceptible healthy close contacts : Should be immunized in order to reduce the risk of transmission of virus to high-risk patients. These include parents and siblings of high risk patients, medical, paramedical personnel and other people who are in close contact with varicella patients.

Dosage

0.5 ml of reconstituted vaccine contains one immunising dose. 12 months - 12 years : 1 dose 13 years & above:2 dose with an interval of 6-10 wks. The vaccine should be administered subcutaneously only.

Contra-Indications

Acute severe febrile illness; a total lymphocyte count less than 1200 per mm3; hypersensitivity to neomycin; pregnancy.

Special Precautions

Alcohol and other disinfecting agents must be allowed to evaporate from the skin before injection of the vaccine, since they may inactivate the virus, the vaccine should be observed for 30 minutes after immunisation. The vaccine should not be mixed with other vaccines in the same syringe. Pregnancy : Contraindicated Lactation : Data not available.

Side Effects

Mild and transient reactions at the site of injection of varicella vaccine.

Drug Interactions

Likelihood of vaccine failure due to possibly acquired varicella antibodies in subjects who have received immune globulins or a blood transfusion.