Live attenuated Oka strain of varicella-zoster virus [each dose contains not <103.3 plaque-forming u (PFU)]
Indications/Uses
Active immunisation against varicella in healthy individuals from age of 9 mth; high risk of severe varicella; post-exposure prophylaxis if administered to healthy, susceptible individuals exposed to varicella w/in 72 hr of contact. Vaccination of susceptible healthy close contacts of individuals at risk of severe varicella is recommended in order to reduce risk of transmission.
SC/IM (deltoid/anterolateral area of thigh)Adult, adolescent, childn from age 9 mth, high risk of severe varicella 2 doses. Administer 2nd dose at least 6 wk after the 1st dose (not <4 wk). Post-exposure prophylaxis 1 dose w/in 72 hr of contact. Individual w/ bleeding disorders Administer subcutaneously.
View Varilrix overdosage for action to be taken in the event of an overdose.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to neomycin or after previous administration of varicella vaccine. Severe humoral or cellular immunodeficiency eg, patients w/ primary or acquired immunodeficiency states w/ a total lymphocyte count <1,200/mm3; presenting other evidence of lack of cellular immune competence (eg, patients w/ leukaemias, lymphomas, blood dyscrasias, clinically manifest HIV infection); those receiving immunosuppressive therapy including high dose of corticosteroids. Pregnancy (avoid 1 mth after vaccination).
Do not administer intravascularly or intradermally. Rare anaphylactic reaction following vaccination. Postpone vaccination in case of acute severe febrile illness. Syncope (fainting) may occur. Allow alcohol & other disinfecting agents to evaporate from the skin before inj. Limited protection against varicella 72 hr after exposure to natural disease. Transmission of Oka varicella vaccine virus from a vaccinee who does not develop a rash to sero-ve contacts cannot be excluded. Immunocompromised patients. Delay pregnancy for women who intend to become pregnant. Lactation.
Temporary depression of tuberculin skin sensitivity (do not perform w/in the period after vaccination to avoid false -ve results). Vaccine failure due to passively acquired varicella Abs w/ Ig or blood transfusion (delay for at least 3 mth). Reye's syndrome w/ salicylates. May lead to short lived suppression of the cell mediated immune response w/ measles vaccine (interval of at least 1 mth). Not to be administered at the same time w/ other live attenuated vaccines in high-risk patients. Administer different injectable vaccines at different inj sites.
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