Table of Contents
What is Varilrix vaccine used for?
Varilrix® is a live vaccine containing a weakened form of the varicella-zoster virus to protect children and adults from chickenpox. In 2020, the National Immunisation Schedule varicella vaccine brand changed from Varilrix to Varivax for eligible children and adults aged 12 months or older.
How effective is Varilrix?
Vaccine effectiveness was 62.3% (95% CI: 47.8; 74.9) in preventing any type of disease and 79.4% (95% CI: 66.4; 88.9) in preventing moderate and severe disease.
Is Varilrix and Varivax interchangeable?
Varivax and the alternative Varilrix vaccine are interchangeable within a two dose course of vaccines. Varivax can be administered concurrently with other Schedule vaccines, including MMR, Hib and PCV10 or PCV13. Separate syringes and different injection sites should be used.
How is Varilrix given?
Varilrix is injected under the skin or into the muscle either in the upper arm or in the outer thigh. Individuals from 12 months of age should be administered 2 doses of Varilrix at least 6 weeks apart. The time between the first and second dose must not be less than 4 weeks.
Where do you inject Varilrix?
VARIVAX is administered as an approximately 0.5-mL dose by subcutaneous injection into the outer aspect of the upper arm (deltoid region) or the anterolateral thigh. Do not administer this product intravascularly or intramuscularly. To minimize loss of potency, administer VARIVAX immediately after reconstitution.
Can Varilrix be given IM?
Varilrix is to be injected subcutaneously (SC) or intramuscularly (IM) in the deltoid region or in the anterolateral area of the thigh. Varilrix should be administered subcutaneously in individuals with bleeding disorders (e.g. thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder).
Can Varivax be given to adults?
Adolescents (≥13 years of age) and Adults: Two doses are administered with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses.
How long are you contagious after chickenpox vaccine?
A person with chickenpox is considered contagious beginning 1 to 2 days before rash onset until all the chickenpox lesions have crusted (scabbed). Vaccinated people who get chickenpox may develop lesions that do not crust. These people are considered contagious until no new lesions have appeared for 24 hours.
What is the difference between Varilrix and Varivax?
The chickenpox vaccines used in the UK are called Varilrix and Varivax. Apart from the active ingredients (the antigens), the vaccines may contain very small amounts of these added ingredients: highly purified gelatine, used as a stabiliser (Varivax only – there is no gelatine in Varilrix)
What vaccine should not be given with varicella?
In addition, MMRV vaccine is contraindicated for people with impaired humoral immunity (hypogammaglobulinemia, dysgammaglobulinemia) and HIV infection. Some people with contraindications for varicella vaccine may receive varicella zoster immune globulin after being exposed to varicella or herpes zoster.
What is the difference between Varilrix and VARIVAX?
How do you prep for VARIVAX?
Refrigerator-stable VARIVAX, when reconstituted as directed, is a sterile preparation for subcutaneous injection. Each approximately 0.5-mL dose contains a minimum of 1350 plaque-forming units (PFU) of Oka/Merck varicella virus when reconstituted and stored at room temperature for a maximum of 30 minutes.