2 doses of VARIVAX
demonstrated 98%
vaccine efficacy against
the varicella virus in
children

2 Doses of VARIVAX® (Varicella Virus Vaccine Live) Demonstrated 98% Vaccine Efficacy Against the Varicella Virus in Children

Estimated vaccine efficacy for VARIVAX® (Varicella Virus Vaccine Live) for the 10-year observation perioda

(n=1114) P<0.001

(n=1102) P<0.001

of developing varicella with a 2-dose
regimen vs a 1-dose regimen over 10
years postvaccination

  1. aIn a clinical trial, a total of 2216 children 12 months to 12 years of age with a negative history of varicella were randomized to receive either 1 dose of VARIVAX or 2 doses of VARIVAX given 3 months apart. Subjects were actively followed for varicella, any varicella-like illness, or herpes zoster and any exposures to varicella or herpes zoster on an annual basis for 10 years after vaccination. Persistence of varicella-zoster virus antibody was measured annually for 9 years.
Clinical Trials Have Shown 3.4x Lower Risk of Developing Varicella With a 2-Dose Vaccine Regimen
In Clinical Trials, VARIVAX® (Varicella Virus Vaccine Live) Showed 98% Vaccine Efficacy

Indications and Usage for VARIVAX

VARIVAX is a vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of varicella in individuals 12 months of age or older.

Selected Safety Information for VARIVAX

  • Do not administer VARIVAX to individuals with: a history of anaphylactic or severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine (including neomycin and gelatin) or to a previous dose of a varicella-containing vaccine; immunosuppressed or immunodeficient individuals; an active febrile illness; active untreated tuberculosis; or those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next 3 months.
  • Vaccination should be deferred in individuals with a family history of immunodeficiency until it can be confirmed the individual is immunocompetent. Vaccine recipients should avoid close contact with high-risk individuals susceptible to varicella due to possible risk of transmission. Varicella vaccine virus transmission may occur between vaccine recipients and contacts susceptible to varicella including healthy individuals. Immune Globulins and other blood products should not be given concomitantly with VARIVAX. Avoid use of salicylates for 6 weeks following administration of VARIVAX to children and adolescents.
  • Frequently reported (≥10%) adverse reactions in children ages 1 to 12 years who were monitored for 42 days include: injection-site complaints: 19.3%; fever ≥102.0°F (38.9°C) oral: 14.7%. Frequently reported (≥10%) adverse reactions in adolescents and adults ages 13 years and older monitored for up to 42 days include: injection-site complaints: 24.4%; fever ≥100.0°F (37.8°C) oral: 10.2%. Other reported adverse reactions in all age groups include: varicella-like rash (injection site) and varicella-like rash (generalized).
  • In a clinical trial involving children who received 2 doses of VARIVAX 3 months apart, the incidence of injection-site clinical complaints (primarily erythema and swelling) observed in the first 4 days following vaccination was slightly higher post-dose 2 (overall incidence 25.4%) than post-dose 1 (overall incidence 21.7%), whereas the incidence of systemic clinical complaints in the 42-day follow-up period was lower post-dose 2 (66.3%) than post-dose 1 (85.8%).
  • VARIVAX may establish latency of varicella zoster virus in immunocompetent individuals, with the potential for later development of herpes zoster.
  • There are insufficient data to assess the rate of protection of VARIVAX against the serious complications of chickenpox in adults (eg, encephalitis, hepatitis, pneumonia), and during pregnancy (congenital varicella syndrome).
  • The duration of protection from varicella infection after vaccination with VARIVAX is unknown.
  • Vaccination with VARIVAX may not result in protection of all healthy, susceptible children, adolescents, and adults.
  • A boost in antibody levels has been observed in vaccinees following exposure to wild-type varicella, which could account for the apparent long-term persistence of antibody levels in these studies.
  • Due to the concern for transmission of vaccine virus, vaccine recipients should attempt to avoid, whenever possible, close association with susceptible high-risk individuals for up to 6 weeks following vaccination.
  • VARIVAX is contraindicated for use in pregnant women because the vaccine contains live, attenuated varicella virus, and it is known that wild-type varicella virus, if acquired during pregnancy, can cause congenital varicella.
  • It is not known whether varicella vaccine virus is excreted in human milk.

Dosage and Administration

  • Each 0.5 mL dose is administered subcutaneously.
    • Children (12 months to 12 years of age): The first dose is administered between 12 and 15 months of age. The second dose is administered between 4 to 6 years of age. There should be a minimum interval of 3 months between doses.
    • Adolescents (≥13 years of age) and Adults: Two doses are administered with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses.

Before administering VARIVAX, please read the accompanying Prescribing Information. The Patient Information also is available.

Indications and Usage for VARIVAX ® (Varicella Virus Vaccine Live)

VARIVAX is a vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of varicella in individuals 12 months of age or older.

VARIVAX is a vaccine indicated for

VARIVAX is a vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of varicella in individuals 12 months of age or older.

Selected Safety Information for VARIVAX® (Varicella Virus Vaccine Live)

  • Do not administer VARIVAX to individuals with: a history of anaphylactic or severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine (including neomycin and gelatin) or to a previous dose of a varicella-containing vaccine; immunosuppressed or immunodeficient individuals; an active febrile illness; active untreated tuberculosis; or those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next 3 months.
  • Vaccination should be deferred in individuals with a family history of immunodeficiency until it can be confirmed the individual is immunocompetent. Vaccine recipients should avoid close contact with high-risk individuals susceptible to varicella due to possible risk of transmission. Varicella vaccine virus transmission may occur between vaccine recipients and contacts susceptible to varicella including healthy individuals. Immune Globulins and other blood products should not be given concomitantly with VARIVAX. Avoid use of salicylates for 6 weeks following administration of VARIVAX to children and adolescents.
  • Frequently reported (≥10%) adverse reactions in children ages 1 to 12 years who were monitored for 42 days include: injection-site complaints: 19.3%; fever ≥102.0°F (38.9°C) oral: 14.7%. Frequently reported (≥10%) adverse reactions in adolescents and adults ages 13 years and older monitored for up to 42 days include: injection-site complaints: 24.4%; fever ≥100.0°F (37.8°C) oral: 10.2%. Other reported adverse reactions in all age groups include: varicella-like rash (injection site) and varicella-like rash (generalized).
  • In a clinical trial involving children who received 2 doses of VARIVAX 3 months apart, the incidence of injection-site clinical complaints (primarily erythema and swelling) observed in the first 4 days following vaccination was slightly higher post-dose 2 (overall incidence 25.4%) than post-dose 1 (overall incidence 21.7%), whereas the incidence of systemic clinical complaints in the 42-day follow-up period was lower post-dose 2 (66.3%) than post-dose 1 (85.8%).
  • VARIVAX may establish latency of varicella zoster virus in immunocompetent individuals, with the potential for later development of herpes zoster.
  • There are insufficient data to assess the rate of protection of VARIVAX against the serious complications of chickenpox in adults (eg, encephalitis, hepatitis, pneumonia), and during pregnancy (congenital varicella syndrome).
  • The duration of protection from varicella infection after vaccination with VARIVAX is unknown.
  • Vaccination with VARIVAX may not result in protection of all healthy, susceptible children, adolescents, and adults.
  • A boost in antibody levels has been observed in vaccinees following exposure to wild-type varicella, which could account for the apparent long-term persistence of antibody levels in these studies.
  • Due to the concern for transmission of vaccine virus, vaccine recipients should attempt to avoid, whenever possible, close association with susceptible high-risk individuals for up to 6 weeks following vaccination.
  • VARIVAX is contraindicated for use in pregnant women because the vaccine contains live, attenuated varicella virus, and it is known that wild-type varicella virus, if acquired during pregnancy, can cause congenital varicella.
  • It is not known whether varicella vaccine virus is excreted in human milk.

Dosage and Administration

  • Each 0.5 mL dose is administered subcutaneously.
    • Children (12 months to 12 years of age): The first dose is administered between 12 and 15 months of age. The second dose is administered between 4 to 6 years of age. There should be a minimum interval of 3 months between doses.
    • Adolescents (≥13 years of age) and Adults: Two doses are administered with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses.

Before administering VARIVAX, please read the accompanying Prescribing Information. The Patient Information also is available.

Do not administer VARIVAX to individuals with: a history of anaphylactic or severe allergic

Do not administer VARIVAX to individuals with: a history of anaphylactic or severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine (including neomycin and gelatin) or to a previous dose of a varicella-containing vaccine; immunosuppressed or immunodeficient individuals; an active febrile illness; active untreated tuberculosis; or those who are pregnant or planning to

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US-VVX-00040 03/22