Variped – MSD
Indication and Usage –
- Variped is indicated for active immunization for prevention of varicella in individuals from 12 months of age and older.
Dosage and Administration –
- Variped is administered as an approximately 0.5 ml dose by subcutaneous injection into the outer aspect of outer arm (deltoid region) or anterolateral thigh.
- Children (12 months to 12 years of age)
If a second dose is administered, there should be a minimum interval of 3 months between doses.
- Adolescents (≥13 years of age) and adults
Two doses of vaccine, to be administered with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses.
Contraindications –
- History of hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine, including gelatin.
- Blood dyscrasias, leukemia lymphomas of any type, or other malignant neoplasm affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system.
- Family history of congenital or hereditary immunodeficiency, unless the immune competence of the potential vaccine recipient is demonstrated.
- Active untreated tuberculosis.
- Any active febrile illness with fever >38.5◦C, however, low-grade fever itself is not a contraindication to vaccination.
- Pregnancy and lactation – the possible effects of the vaccine on fetal development are unknown at this time. However, wild-type varicella is known to sometimes cause fetal harm. If vaccination of postpubertal females is undertaken, pregnancy should be avoided for three months following vaccination.
Adverse reactions –
- Variped also has some side effects, the most common being Irritability, Fever, Injection site pain. Besides the aforementioned side effects, there are other adverse effects of Variped as well, which are listed below.
- Such side effects of Variped normally do not last long and go away once the treatment is completed. Consult your doctor if these side effects become worse or stay for a longer duration.
Drug interactions and other interactions –
- Vaccination should be deferred for at least 5 months following blood or plasma transfusions, or administration of immune globulin or varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG).
- Following administration of Variped any immune globulin including VZIG should not be given for 2 months thereafter unless its use outweighs the benefits of vaccination.
- Vaccine recipients should avoid use of salicylates for 6 weeks after vaccination with Variped as Reye syndrome has been reported following the use of salicylates during wild-type varicella infection.
