Vaccination against varicella in individuals > 12 months of age 

Most frequently reported adverse experiences listed in decreasing order of frequency-

upper rrspiratory illness, headche, fatigue, cough, myalgia, disturbed sleep, nausea, malaise, diarrhea, stiffneck,irritability, nervouseness, lymphadenopathy, chills, eye complaints,

abdominal pains, loss of appetite, arthalgia, otitis,itching, vomiting, other rashes, constipation, lower respiratory illness, allergic reactions, (including allergic rash, hives) contact rash, cold/canker sore.

Hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine

Special precautions-

Reyes syndrome- vaccine recipients should avoid use of salicylates for 6 weeks after vaccination with varicella vaccine as Reyes syndrome has been been reported following the use of salicylates during natural infections.

Transmission- individuals vaccinated with varicella vaccine may potentially be capable of transmitting the vaccine virus to close contacts. Therfore, vaccine receipients should avoid close association with susceptible high-risk individuals (eg newborns, pregnant women, immnocompromised persons).

Weigh the potential risk of transmission of vaccine virus against the risk of transmission of natural varicella virus in such circumstances.

Use a separate sterile needle and syringe for administration ofeach dose of varicella vaccine to prevent transfer of infectious diseases.

Immunodificiency- the safety and efficay of varicella vacine have not been established in children and young adults who are known to be infected with human immunodeficiency viruses with or without evidence of immunosuppression. Vaccination should be deferred in patients with a family history of congenital or heriditary imunodeficiency until the patients own immune system has been evaluated.

Injection site- Do not inject into a blood vessel.

Warnings-

Booster doses- the duration of protection of varicella vaccine is unknown at present and the need for booster doses is not defined. However, a boost in antibody levels has been observed in vaccines following exposure to natural varicella as well as following a booster dose of varicella vaccine administerd 4 to 6 years.

Protection/Prevention- vaccination with varicella vaccine may not result in protectin of all healthy susceptible children, adolescents and adults. It is not known whether varicella vaccine given immediately after exposure to natural virus will prevent illness.

Acute lymphoblastic leukema (ALL ).- children and adolescents with ALL in remission can receive the vaccine under an investigational protocol.

Hypersensitivity- have adequate treatment provisions, including epinephrine injection (1:1000, avilable for immediate use, should an anaphylactoid reaction occur.

Pregnancy- Varicella vaccine should be administered to pregnant females. Furthermore, pregnancy should be avoided for 3 months following vaccination.

Lactation- Excercise caution if varicella vaccine is administered to a nursing woman.

Children- No clinical data are avialable on safety or efficay of varicella vaccine in children < 1 year of age.

Administration to infants < 1 year of age is not recommended.

Vaccination against varicella in individuals > 12 months of age

Dosages-

Children ( 1 to 12 years ofage)- a single 0.5ml dose administered subcutaneously Adults and adolescents- ( > 13 years of age) a 0.5ml dose administered subcutaneously at elected date and a second 0.5ml dose 4 to 8 weeks later.

Missed dose-

1. If you miss a dose of this medicine, and remember it on the day it should be taken, take it as directed.

2. However, if you do not remember the mised dose until the next day,take the missed dose at that time and reschedule your every-other-day doses from then.

3. It is important that this vaccine be taken exactly as directed so that it can give you protection against Varicella

1. Inform the patient, parent or gaurdian of the benefits and risks of varicella vaccine, and instruct them to report any adverse reactions to their health-care provider.

Pharmacology-

Varicella virusvaccine is a preparation of the Oka/Merck strain of live attenuated varicella virus. The virus was initially obtained from a child with anatural varicella , then introduced into human embryonic lung cultures, adaptee to and propagated in embryonic guinea pig cell cultures and finally propagated in human diploid cell cultures.

Pregnancy-

Varicella vaccine should be administered to pregnant females. Furthermore, pregnancy should be avoided for 3 months following vaccination.

Lactation-

Excercise caution if varicella vaccine is administered to a nursing woman.

Children-

No clinical data are avialble on safety or efficay of varicella vaccine in children < 1 year of age. Administration to infants < 1 year of age is not recommended.