Adult Dosing & Uses
Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection
Prophylaxis (50 years or older): Inject 0.65 mL (entire vial content) SC in upper arm as single dose
FDA approved for persons 50 years and older; however, ACIP continues to recommend that vaccination begin at age 60 years
Administration
Reconstitute vaccine using diluent supplied, by withdrawing all contents of diluent vial into syringe, THEN inject solution into vial of lyophilizes vaccine and agitate to mix
Use separate needle and syringe for reconstituting and administration
Inject total volume of reconstituted vaccine SC into upper arm
Administer immediately after reconstitution
Discard if not used within 30 min
Other Indications & Uses
Persons with chronic medical conditions (eg, diabetes; heart disease; pulmonary, liver, or renal disease)
Additional Information
These products convey active immunity via stimulation of production of endogenously produced antibodies
The onset of protection from disease is relatively slow, but duration is long lasting (years)
Up-to-date vaccination schedules available at www.cdc.gov/nip/publications
Pediatric Dosing & Uses
Not indicated for children (ie, not indicated for prevention of primary varicella infection [Chickenpox])
Drug Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results
Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor
Adverse Effects
Suspected adverse events after administration of any vaccine may be reported to Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), 1-800-822-7967
>10%
Injection site erythema, pain/tenderness, swelling, pruritus, warmth (48%)
1-10%
Diarrhea (2%)
Fever (2%)
Flu-like syndrome (2%)
URI (2%)
Headache (1%)
Rhinitis (1%)
Skin disorder (1%)
Weakness (1%)
Contraindications & Cautions
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to gelatin, neomycin
HIV: CD4+count <200 cells/mcL
Other immunocompromising conditions excl medications & radiation (incl leukemia, lymphoma)
Active untreated TB
Pregnancy
Cautions
Treatment provision (including epinephrine injection 1:1000) should be available for immediate use
Defer vaccination in patients with active untreated tuberculosis or acute illness
May not protect all vaccine recepients
Do not give with pneumococcal vaccine 23-valent; concomitant use decreased immunogenicity of zoster vaccine
Transmission of vaccine virus may occur rarely between vaccinees and susceptible contacts
Not indicated for prevention of primary varicella infection (Chickenpox)
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: C
Lactation: not known if excreted in breast milk, use caution
A:Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B:May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C:Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D:Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X:Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA:Information not available.
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