Drug reference
Varilrix ® and Varivax ® are live attenuated vaccines that protect against varicella (chickenpox) caused by varicella-zoster virus infection. Zostavax ® is a live attenuated vaccine that protects against herpes zoster (shingles) caused by varicella-zoster virus infection.
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VARILRIX ® Prevention of varicella infection (chickenpox) ▶BY SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION ▶Child 1–17 years: 0.5 mL every 4–6 weeks for 2 doses, to be administered into the deltoid region or anterolateral thigh ▶Adult: 0.5 mL every 4–6 weeks for 2 doses, to be administered into the deltoid region or anterolateral thigh VARIVAX ® Prevention of varicella infection (chickenpox) ▶BY SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION, OR BY INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION ▶Child 1–12 years: 0.5 mL for 2 doses, interval of at least 4 weeks between each dose, to be administered into the deltoid region (or higher anterolateral thigh in young children) ▶Child 13–17 years: 0.5 mL for 2 doses, interval of 4–8 weeks between each dose, to be administered preferably into the deltoid region ▶Adult: 0.5 mL for 2 doses, interval of 4–8 weeks between each dose, to be administered preferably into the deltoid region Prevention of varicella infection (chickenpox) in children with asymptomatic HIV infection ▶BY SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION, OR BY INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION ▶Child 1–12 years: 0.5 mL for 2 doses, interval of 12 weeks between each dose, to be administered into the deltoid region (or higher anterolateral thigh in young children) ZOSTAVAX ® Prevention of herpes zoster (shingles) ▶BY SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION ▶Adult 70–79 years: 0.65 mL for 1 dose, to be administered preferably into the deltoid region
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Post-vaccination close contact with susceptible individuals CAUTIONS, FURTHER INFORMATION Rarely, the varicella– zoster vaccine virus has been transmitted from the vaccinated individual to close contacts. Therefore, contact with the following should be avoided if a vaccine-related cutaneous rash develops within 4–6 weeks of the first or second dose: . varicella-susceptible pregnant women; . individuals at high risk of severe varicella, including those with immunodeficiency or those receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Healthcare workers who develop a generalised papular or vesicular rash on vaccination should avoid contact with patients until the lesions have crusted. Those who develop a localised rash after vaccination should cover the lesions and be allowed to continue working unless in contact with patients at high risk of severe varicella. ▶Administration with MMR vaccine Varicella–zoster and MMR vaccines can be given on the same day or separated by a 4-week minimum interval. When protection is rapidly required, the vaccines can be given at any interval and an additional dose of the vaccine given second may be considered.
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ZOSTAVAX ® Advice in the BNF may differ from that in product literature.
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→Appendix 1: live vaccines
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▶Uncommon Cough. drowsiness. increased risk of infection ▶Rare or very rare Abdominal pain. conjunctivitis. Kawasaki disease. seizure. stroke. thrombocytopenia. vasculitis
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Avoid pregnancy for 3 months after vaccination.
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There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Powder and solvent for suspension for injection EXCIPIENTS: May contain Gelatin, neomycin ▶Varivax (Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd) Varivax vaccine powder and solvent for suspension for injection 0.5ml vials | 1 vial P £30.28 DT = £30.28 ▶Zostavax (Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd) Zostavax vaccine powder and solvent for suspension for injection 0.65ml pre-filled syringes | 1 pre-filled disposable injection P £99.96 DT = £99.96 Powder and solvent for solution for injection EXCIPIENTS: May contain Neomycin ▶Varilrix (GlaxoSmithKline UK Ltd) Varilrix vaccine powder and solvent for solution for injection 0.5ml vials | 1 vial P £27.31 DT = £27.31 eiiii F 1379
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0.5 mL every 4–6 weeks for 2 doses, to
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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0.5 mL every 4–6 weeks for 2 doses, to be
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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0.5 mL for 2 doses, interval of at least
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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0.5 mL for 2 doses, interval of
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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0.5 mL for 2 doses, interval of 4–8 weeks
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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0.5 mL for 2 doses, interval of 12 weeks
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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0.65 mL for 1 dose, to be
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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