Varivax
Varivax is a vaccine that helps protect adults and children from chickenpox by protecting against infectious diseases.
Form
injektiokuiva-aine ja liuotin, suspensiota varten, esitäytetty ruisku
Active Ingredient
Varicella zoster virus Oka/Merck strain, (live attenuated) produced in human diploid (MRC-5) cells
Manufacturer
Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V.
How to Use
Dosage
For babies 9-12 months old, two doses are given at least three months apart. For children 12 months to 12 years old, two doses are given at least one month apart. For teenagers aged 13 and older, and adults, two doses are given 4 to 8 weeks apart.
Method
This vaccine is given as an injection into a muscle or just under the skin. For young children, it's usually given in the thigh. For older children and adults, it's given in the upper arm. If you have a bleeding disorder, it will be given under the skin.
Important
Only one dose is given at a time as part of a vaccination schedule. This vaccine should not be given to children under 9 months old.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Fever
- •Redness, pain, tenderness, and swelling at the injection site
- •Upper respiratory infection (nose, throat, windpipe)
- •Irritability
- •Rash (flat, red skin rash with small, merged bumps; chickenpox-like rash)
- •Rash and itching at the injection site
RARE
- •Severe allergic reaction (facial swelling, low blood pressure, breathing difficulties, possibly a rash)
- •Bruising or bleeding more easily than usual, red or purple flat spots under the skin, extreme paleness
- •Severe rash with sores/blisters (possibly on eyes, mouth, and/or genitals), red, often itchy spots (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme)
- •Muscle weakness, abnormal sensations like tingling in arms, legs, or upper body (Guillain-Barré syndrome)
- •Fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, and light sensitivity (meningitis)
- •Stroke
- •Seizures (convulsions) with or without fever
- •Diseases affecting the nervous system (brain and/or spinal cord) such as facial paralysis (Bell's palsy), unsteady gait, dizziness, tingling or numbness in hands and feet, brain inflammation (encephalitis), non-bacterial meningitis, fainting
- •Shingles, sore throat (pharyngitis)
- •Purple or red-brown spots visible under the skin (Henoch-Schönlein purpura)
- •Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections (like cellulitis)
- •Chickenpox (varicella)
- •Aplastic anemia (may cause bruising or easier bleeding, red/purple flat pinhead-sized spots under the skin, extreme paleness)
- •Headache, drowsiness
- •Runny, itchy eyes with crusts on eyelids (conjunctivitis)
- •Cough, stuffy nose, chest tightness, runny nose, loss of appetite
- •Upset stomach with vomiting, cramps, viral diarrhea
- •Diarrhea, vomiting (gastroenteritis)
- •Ear infection, sore throat
- •Crying, sleeplessness, sleep problems
- •Chickenpox-like rash caused by virus, viral illness, skin inflammation, skin redness, hives
- •Weakness/tiredness, general unwell feeling, injection site reactions like numbness, bleeding, bruising, hardened lump, warmth, warm to the touch
- •Swollen glands
- •Anxiety, sleeping too much, difficulty walking, febrile seizures, tremor
- •Swelling of eyelids, irritated eyes
- •Ear pain
- •Stuffy nose, sometimes with throbbing pain and pressure in the face (sinusitis), sneezing, blood congestion in lungs, fluid in lungs, runny nose, wheezing, swollen airways (bronchitis), lung infection, severe lung infection with fever, chills, cough, chest pressure, and shortness of breath (pneumonia)
- •Flu-like illness
- •Abdominal pain, upset stomach and nausea, bloody stools, mouth sores
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you or your child are allergic to the chickenpox vaccine, any of its ingredients, or neomycin.
- Do not take if you or your child have a blood disease, cancer affecting the immune system (like leukemia), or are receiving treatments that weaken the immune system (like high-dose steroids).
- Do not take if you or your child have active, untreated tuberculosis or a fever above 38.5°C.
- Do not take if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant within one month of vaccination.
- Avoid taking aspirin or medicines containing salicylates for 6 weeks after vaccination due to a rare but serious risk called Reye's syndrome.
Show 1 more warnings
- For 6 weeks after vaccination, try to avoid close contact with people who have very weak immune systems, pregnant women who haven't had chickenpox, and newborns whose mothers haven't had chickenpox.