Varicella Virus Chickenpox Vaccine

The varicella virus (Chickenpox) vaccine is used to protect against Chickenpox (varicella), a common and very contagious childhood viral illness. It is a live attenuated vaccine, which means it contains a weakened form of the virus.

• Varicella virus (Chickenpox) vaccine is available under various brand names: Varivax 

Common side effects of the Varicella virus (Chickenpox) vaccine include:

• redness, itching, tenderness, swelling, bruising, or a lump where the shot was given.
• low fever; or
• mild skin rash that looks like Chickenpox (can occur up to 1 month after vaccination).

Serious side effects of the Varicella virus (Chickenpox) vaccine include:

• dizziness, 
• weakness, 
• fast heartbeats,
• hives,
• difficult breathing, 
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• high fever,
• seizure (black-out or convulsions; can occur up to 12 days after vaccination),
• cough, pain or tight feeling in your chest, breathing problems; or
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness.

Rare side effects of the Varicella virus (Chickenpox) vaccine include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

intramuscular injection

• 125 IU/vial (lyophilized powder)
• 100 IU/mL (after reconstitution)

Varicella immunization

Adult dosage

• Two doses of 0.5 mL separated by more than 4 weeks (4 to 8 weeks apart per ACIP). 

Pediatric dosage

Children above 12 months: 

• SubQ: 0.5 mL per dose for a total of 2 doses administered as follows: 12 to 15 months of age and 4 to 6 years of age. The second dose may be administered earlier provided the above 3 months have elapsed after the first dose. If the second dose was administered above 4 weeks after the first dose, 

Children:

• Varilrix: SubQ: 2 doses of 0.5 mL separated by above 6 weeks.
• Varivax III: SubQ: 0.5 mL as a single dose.
• Adolescents: SubQ: 2 doses of 0.5 mL separated by 4 to 8 weeks (Varivax III) or above 6 weeks (Varilrix).
• Varicella postexposure prophylaxis (healthy, previously unvaccinated individuals):

Pediatric dosage

Children (above 12 months) and Adolescents: 

• SubQ: 0.5 mL administered ideally within 72 hours postexposure but may be used up to 120 hours (5 days) postexposure

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Varicella virus has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Varicella virus has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • axicabtagene ciloleucel
  • brexucabtagene autoleucel
  • ciltacabtagene autoleucel
  • idecabtagene vicleucel
  • lisocabtagene maraleucel
  • tisagenlecleucel
• Varicella virus has moderate interactions with the following drug:
  • efgartigimod alfa
• Varicella virus has minor interactions with the following drug:
  • protein a column

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• allergic to gelatin or neomycin,
• life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing varicella.
• 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.

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Varicella virus?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Varicella virus?”

Cautions

• 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 1 to 3 months after receiving a varicella vaccine.
• For at least 6 weeks after receiving a varicella vaccine, avoid coming into contact with newborn infants, pregnant women who have never had Chickenpox, and anyone who has a weak immune system. There is a chance that you could pass the virus to a person with a weak immune system or no immunity to Chickenpox.

Pregnancy 

• You should not receive this vaccine if you are pregnant. Chickenpox can cause birth defects, low birth weight, or a serious infection in the newborn, and this vaccine exposes you to a small amount of this virus. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before you receive this vaccine. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy for 1 to 3 months after receiving a varicella vaccine. 
• Lactation
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that you may continue to breast-feed a baby after you have received this vaccine.