Varivax (varicella virus vaccine live) - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Who should not get Varivax?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not receive Varivax.

• Gelatin
• Neomycin
• Varivax
• Varicella virus vaccine live
• A previous dose of varicella-containing vaccine
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Varivax.

Weakened Immune System (Immunosuppression). Varivax should not be given to people who have a weakened immune system or who are immunocompromised due to a health condition or a medicine. This includes people who are receiving high doses of steroids or who are being treated with certain types of chemotherapy. There is a risk that live varicella vaccine could cause varicella infection in people with a weakened or suppressed immune system.      

Moderate or Severe Illness With Fever (Febrile Illness). Varivax should not be given to people with a fever greater than 101.3 F (38.5 C). 

Active Untreated Tuberculosis (TB). People with tuberculosis who have symptoms but are not receiving medicine to treat the condition should not receive Varivax. 

Pregnancy. Do not receive Varivax if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next 3 months. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare professional right away. See the Pregnancy section for more details.

What should I know about Varivax before getting it?

Varivax is a shot that must be administered by a healthcare provider. The vaccine is injected into the muscle or under the skin. 

A vaccine information statement should be provided by your healthcare provider to you before each vaccination. This document provides information regarding the benefits and risks of the vaccine.

Make sure that you or your child gets all doses of Varivax that your healthcare provider recommends. Varivax helps protect you from serious infections caused by the varicella-zoster virus. 

Children ages 12 months through 17 years of age should avoid taking medicines or other products that contain salicylates such as aspirin for 6 weeks after receiving Varivax. There are reports of Reye’s syndrome in people taking salicylates while infected with chickenpox. See the Interactions section for more details.

In rare cases, a person who has received Varivax may be able to pass varicella vaccine virus to others after vaccination. This can lead to chickenpox, including severe cases, in people who have not had chickenpox or Varivax. For 6 weeks after getting Varivax, avoid close contact with people who are at high risk of developing chickenpox. People who are at high risk of chickenpox are those with a weakened immune system, pregnant people who have not had chickenpox, and newborn babies born at less than 28 weeks of pregnancy or to mothers who have not had chickenpox.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before getting Varivax?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Varivax is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Blood Transfusions. Varivax should not be given at the same time as immune globulins (IG) or other blood products. These products may contain antibodies that interfere with how the vaccine works in the body.  Before getting Varivax, tell your healthcare provider about any immune globulins or blood or plasma transfusions you may have received. 

Vaccines. Tell your healthcare provider if you have recently received a vaccine or have any scheduled. Varivax can usually be administered on the same day as other vaccines. In some cases, Varivax may need to be spaced apart from other vaccines by a certain length of time. 

Reactions to Vaccines. Before getting Varivax, tell your healthcare provider if you have had an allergic reaction to any other vaccine or other serious symptoms such as fainting or dizziness after vaccination.

Tuberculin Skin Testing (TB testing). Before getting Varivax, tell your healthcare provider if you are scheduled to be tested for tuberculosis. Varivax may interfere with the results of skin tests.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Varivax may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before getting Varivax, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Family History of Immune System Problems (Immunodeficiency). There is a risk that Varivax could cause varicella infection in people with a weakened or suppressed immune system. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a family history of immune system problems. This information will help them determine if Varivax is right for you.

Close Contact With People at Risk of Developing Chickenpox. In rare cases, a person who has received Varivax may be able to pass varicella vaccine virus to others following vaccination. Tell your healthcare provider if you or your child lives or works with someone who falls into one of the below groups of people. 

• People who have a weakened immune system
• Pregnant people who have not had chickenpox
• Newborn babies of mothers who have not had chickenpox
• Newborn babies born at less than 28 weeks of pregnancy

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

• Cancer
• HIV
• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Any health condition that weakens the immune system
• Health conditions requiring use of salicylates such as aspirin

Pregnancy. Do not receive Varivax and tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Varivax may cause harm to an unborn baby.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Varivax passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should get Varivax while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Varivax?

For more information about Varivax, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at https://www.merckvaccines.com/varivax/ or call them at 800-637-2590 or 800-982-7482.