Drugs >  Varicella Virus Vaccine
Varicella Virus Vaccine
Pronunciation
Brand Names
Therapeutic Categories
Reasons not to take this medicine
What is this medicine used for?
How does it work?
How is it best taken?
What do I do if I miss a dose?
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
What are the common side effects of this medicine?
What should I monitor?
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
How should I store this medicine?
General statements

Pronunciation
(var i SEL a VYE rus vak SEEN)

Brand Names
Varivax®

Therapeutic Categories
Vaccine

Reasons not to take this medicine
  • Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 1 year old.
  • Do not take aspirin for 6 weeks after getting this vaccine.
  • If you have an allergy to varicella virus vaccine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have any of the following conditions: Blood disease, bone cancer, high fever, leukemia, or untreated tuberculosis.
  • If you have a weak immune system.
  • If you are taking a medicine that weakens your body's ability to fight off infection.
  • If you recently had a blood transfusion or received an immune globulin.
  • If you have had chickenpox.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

  • What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to prevent chickenpox.
  • This medicine is used to prevent shingles.

  • How does it work?
  • The varicella virus vaccine helps the body develop antibodies to the varicella virus and protect against infection.

  • How is it best taken?
  • This medicine is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
  • It is usually given as a single shot to children between 12 and 18 months of age.
  • It may be given to any person older than 1 year of age who has not had chickenpox.
  • If you are older than 13 years of age when you get this vaccine, you will need a second shot. The second shot is given 4-8 weeks after the first shot.

  • What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • Call healthcare provider for instructions.

  • What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • If you had a blood transfusion or received varicella-zoster immune globulin you should wait at least 5 months before getting this vaccine.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Avoid contact with newborns, pregnant female, and people with a weakened immune systems for 6 weeks after getting the vaccine.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine and for 3 months after getting this vaccine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

  • What are the common side effects of this medicine?
  • All serious side effects to this vaccine must be reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. Ask your healthcare provider to file the report. You may also call to file a report at 1-800-822-7967.
  • A federal program is available to help care for you if you are harmed by this vaccine. If you have a serious reaction to this vaccine, call 1-800-338-2382 for information about this program.
  • Irritation where the shot is given.
  • Seizures caused by high fever can rarely occur.

  • What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Side effects. Some side effects may occur up to 2 weeks after the shot.

  • Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Fast heartbeat.
  • Severe dizziness or passing out.
  • Hives.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

  • How should I store this medicine?
  • This medicine will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

  • General statements
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

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