Varicella Vaccine (Live)
Description
Varicella Vaccine (Live) is a vaccine that protects against chickenpox. It is given to both children and adults. After receiving the vaccine, your body produces antibodies and protects you from getting infected with the chickenpox virus.
Varicella Vaccine (Live) may cause redness/pain/swelling at the site of injection. It may also cause a skin rash and fever. These symptoms usually subside on their own, within 2 to 3 days. However, consult your doctor if these symptoms persist or if they become severe.
Varicella Vaccine (Live) is given by your doctor in a clinic or a hospital setting. Follow the instructions given by your doctor.
Varicella Vaccine (Live) is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have any active infection before taking this vaccine. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Varicella Vaccine (Live)
- Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site
- Rash
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Nausea and Vomiting
Uses of Varicella Vaccine (Live)
What is it prescribed for?
- Prevention of Chickenpox
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time taken by your immune system to produce antibodies against Varicella Vaccine (Live) is not clinically known.
- Duration of effectLive vaccines provide long-lasting immunity. However, the duration of immunity against chickenpox after vaccination with Varicella Vaccine (Live) is not clinically known.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Varicella Vaccine (Live).
- Usage in pregnancy?It is not recommended to receive Varicella Vaccine (Live) during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.
- Usage while breast-feeding?If you are breastfeeding, it may be acceptable to receive Varicella Vaccine (Live) upon your doctor's recommendation.
Allergy
Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc after taking Varicella Vaccine (Live). Consult your doctor before taking a second dose if you have experienced severe allergic reactions.
Immunodeficiency
Immunodeficiency is a condition in which your immune system's ability to fight infections is reduced or completely absent. It may occur due to cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, or due to the use of medicines that weaken the immune system such as high-dose corticosteroids. Varicella Vaccine (Live) is not recommended if you have a severely impaired (weakened) immune system.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
It is not recommended to receive Varicella Vaccine (Live) during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.
Breast-feeding
If you are breastfeeding, it may be acceptable to receive Varicella Vaccine (Live) upon your doctor's recommendation.
General warnings
Blood transfusion
If you or your child have received a blood transfusion, it is recommended to delay vaccination with Varicella Vaccine (Live) for at least 3 months.
Use contraception
It is recommended to use reliable contraceptive methods to avoid pregnancy for 3 months after vaccination with Varicella Vaccine (Live).
Missed Dose
Varicella Vaccine (Live) is given in two scheduled doses. If you have missed receiving your second scheduled vaccine dose, contact your doctor.
Overdose
Since Varicella Vaccine (Live) is given in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Aspirin
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Tuberculin skin test
Tuberculin skin test that is done within 6 weeks after receiving Varicella Vaccine (Live) may give a false negative result. Hence if you have taken this vaccine, inform your doctor before taking a skin test for tuberculosis.
Varicella Vaccine (Live) is given by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital/clinical setting.
If you experience any redness/pain/swelling at the site of injection, contact your doctor. Do not self-medicate.
Varicella Vaccine (Live) is given in two doses. It is important to receive every scheduled dose of your vaccine to obtain adequate protection against chickenpox infection.
Miscelleneous
How it works
After vaccination with Varicella Vaccine (Live), your immune system (body's natural defence system) produces antibodies (a protective protein produced by the immune system) and protects you from being infected by the chickenpox (varicella) virus.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Viral vaccines
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Varilrix 10 3.3 PFU/0.5ml, powder and solvent for solution for injection - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 28 September 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 28 September 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 28 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 25 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.