Varicella Virus Vaccine

Varivax

... VARICELLA VIRUS VACCINE LIVE (Varivax^®) protects against infection with the virus that produces chickenpox. Chickenpox was once considered to be an unavoidable childhood illness, but it can be prevented by using the varicella virus vaccine. This vaccine is approved for use in children aged 1 year or older, and it can also be given to adolescents and adults who have no history of chickenpox infection. Most family physicians and pediatricians now recommend that all children be vaccinated at 1 year of age or prior to entering day care facilities or elementary school if they have not had chickenpox. Adolescents or adults who have never had chickenpox should consider getting the vaccine if they live in a household with small kids, or if they work in health care, day care, prisons, or are teachers of small children. Generic varicella virus vaccine is not yet available. ...