Varicella Vaccine

Question 1

Vaccine for chicken pox facts

Answer 1

• Oka strain of VZV
• Live attenuated virus
• Licenced in 1995
• Immunity persists for up to 20 years
• Varivax and varilrix in the UK
• Avoid pregnancy for 4 weeks post vaccination

Question 2

VZIG

Answer 2

• Effective up to 10/7 post exposure
• Women should be treated as potentially infectious 8-28 days after VZIG (IV or im)
• Significant contact:
  Same room for 15 minutes or more
  Face to face contact
  Contact in an open ward
  A second dose can be given if further exposure and/ or 3/52 since last VZIG