From the Guidelines
The brand names of varicella vaccine available in the United States are Varivax and ProQuad. Varivax is a single-antigen vaccine that contains only the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, while ProQuad is a combination vaccine that includes measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccines (MMRV) 1.
Key Points
- Varivax is approved for individuals 12 months of age and older, while ProQuad is approved for children 12 months through 12 years of age.
- These vaccines contain live attenuated varicella-zoster virus, specifically the Oka strain, which stimulates the immune system to develop antibodies against the virus without causing the full disease.
- The varicella vaccine is typically administered as a two-dose series, with the first dose given at 12-15 months of age and the second dose at 4-6 years of age.
- For older children, adolescents, and adults who have not been previously vaccinated, the two doses are given at least 28 days apart.
- These vaccines have been highly effective in preventing chickenpox and reducing the severity of breakthrough infections, with a decline in varicella incidence, hospitalizations, and deaths since the implementation of the varicella vaccination program in 1995 1.
Administration and Efficacy
- The vaccines are administered subcutaneously, with the first dose given at 12-15 months of age and the second dose at 4-6 years of age.
- The vaccines are >95% effective in preventing severe varicella disease and have been shown to reduce the burden of varicella disease and its complications in the United States 1.
Recommendations
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends a routine 2-dose varicella vaccination schedule for children, with the first dose given at 12-15 months of age and the second dose at 4-6 years of age 1.
- For people who previously received only 1 dose of varicella vaccine, a second dose is necessary to provide evidence of immunity 1.
From the Research
Varicella Vaccine Brand Names
- The brand name of the varicella vaccine mentioned in the studies is Varivax 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Another brand name mentioned is ProQuad, which is a combination vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- M-M-R II is also mentioned as a brand name for the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, often used in conjunction with Varivax 2, 4, 5, 6.
- M-M-RVAXPRO is mentioned as a brand name for the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, used in combination with Varivax to create ProQuad 3.