Manufacturer: Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Salt Composition : Varicella Vaccine(live), attenuated
Varilrix Vaccine is indicated for active immunization for prevention of chickenpox in individuals 12 months of age and older. It is generally given as an injection under the skin or into the muscle of the upper arm in two doses.
Varilrix Vaccine is administered by a healthcare professional and should not be self-administered. It protects the child from diseases that can be caused by the varicella virus. It is given to children between 12 months to 12 years of age and the second dose after a minimum gap of 3 months. For adolescents and adults as well, it is given in two doses a minimum of 4 weeks apart.
Some common side effects of this medicine include mild pain, swelling, and redness at the site of injection, rashes, and low-grade fever. These are usually temporary and resolve with time. However, if these side effects do not go away with time or get worse, let the doctor know. The doctor may help with ways to reduce or prevent these symptoms.
To make sure the vaccine is safe, before receiving the vaccine, it is important to let the doctor know if you have any other illnesses. You should also tell the doctor about all the medicines you are taking. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult and seek advice from their doctor before receiving the vaccine.
The varicella-zoster vaccine contains live attenuated varicella-zoster vaccine (Oka strain). This vaccine induces both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses
There are two chickenpox vaccines approved for use in the United States: one single antigen vaccine and one combination vaccine. Both vaccines contain live attenuated (weakened) varicella-zoster virus
Attenuated: Weakened, diluted, thinned, reduced, weakened, diminished. The use of "attenuated" in medicine is not new. In the 16th century, eating dried figs was claimed to attenuate the body fluids. Now "attenuated" refers to procedures that weaken an agent of disease (a pathogen)
Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
Fever
Rash
Contraindications to varicella vaccine include severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or vaccine component (eg, gelatin, neomycin), pregnancy, and being severely immunocompromised
Varilrix Vaccine is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Varilrix Vaccine. Please consult your doctor.
Varilrix Vaccine is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.
Varicella Vaccine (live) attenuated is a vaccine. It helps develop immunity by initiating a mild infection. This type of infection does not cause illness, but it does stimulate the body's immune system to produce antibodies to protect against any future infections
VARICELLA (LIVE ATTENUATED) may interact with a pain killer (aspirin) and cause Reye syndrome (a severe condition that causes liver and brain damage). VARICELLA (LIVE ATTENUATED) may also interact with immunoglobulin therapy (human normal immunoglobulin and varicella-zoster immune globulin).
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine.
Store in a refrigerator (2 - 8°C). Do not freeze.
If you miss a dose of Varilrix Vaccine, please consult your doctor.
Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Varilrix Vaccine helps prevent chickenpox.
It is given as an injection under the skin or into the muscle of the upper arm.
It is given as two doses. The second dose is given 4 to 8 weeks after the first dose.
You may get a rash or mild fever, or you feel tired or sore at the site of the injection.
Do not take Varilrix Vaccine if you are pregnant or have a weak immune system.
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
Q. Is Varilrix Vaccine live or inactivated?
Varilrix Vaccine is a live attenuated virus vaccine. It contains a weakened virus that helps stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against the actual infection causing virus. This helps protect the individual from getting infected in future, if exposed.
Q. How is Varilrix Vaccine administered?
Varilrix Vaccine should be administered under the supervision of a trained healthcare professional or a doctor and should not be self-administered. It is usually given as an injection under your skin, either in the upper arm or in the outer thigh. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get maximum benefit from Varilrix Vaccine.
Q. Who should not get Varilrix Vaccine?
Varilrix Vaccine should not be given to people who are allergic to Varilrix Vaccine or any of its ingredients or if they have had an allergic reaction to it earlier. Individuals who have compromised immunity such as HIV patients, and those that have fever must also refrain from getting vaccinated with Varilrix Vaccine. Pregnant females too should not be administered Varilrix Vaccine.
Q. What are the possible side effects of Varilrix Vaccine?
The possible side effects of Varilrix Vaccine are fever, injection site itching, pain, skin rash, erythema (skin redness), and swelling. However, these are usually not bothersome and will resolve in sometime. If they don’t, consult your doctor.
