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Varicella Vaccine
Varicella vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and cellular immunity against the varicella-zoster virus, preventing chickenpox infection.
Varicella vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and cellular immunity against the varicella-zoster virus, preventing chickenpox infection. Used for Prevention of varicella (chickenpox) in children and adults, Prevention of herpes zoster (shingles) in older adults.
At a glance
| Generic name | Varicella Vaccine |
|---|---|
| Also known as | VARIVAX®, vaccination, Varivax, PharmaJet, Varicella vaccine (Avaxim Paediatric) 0.5 mL |
| Sponsor | Novartis |
| Drug class | Live attenuated vaccine |
| Target | Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) |
| Modality | Biologic |
| Therapeutic area | Immunology / Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
The vaccine contains live attenuated (weakened) varicella-zoster virus that replicates in the body at low levels, triggering both humoral (antibody) and cell-mediated immune responses without causing disease. This primes the immune system to recognize and rapidly eliminate wild-type varicella-zoster virus upon natural exposure, preventing infection or significantly reducing disease severity.
Approved indications
- Prevention of varicella (chickenpox) in children and adults
- Prevention of herpes zoster (shingles) in older adults
Common side effects
- Injection site reactions (erythema, swelling, pain)
- Fever
- Rash (varicella-like)
- Myalgia
Key clinical trials
- A Study to Learn About a Modified RNA Vaccine Against Shingles in Healthy Adults (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- Recombinant Herpes Zoster Vaccine for Prevention of Cardiovascular Events and Dementia (PHASE4)
- Safety and Immunogenicity of CVI-VZV-001 in Adults Aged 50 Years and Above (PHASE2)
- Is a Third Dose of MMRV Vaccine Beneficial for the Adult Population in Alberta?
- Immunogenicity and Safety of Varicella Vaccine, Live in Healthy Vietnamese Children Aged 1~12 Years: A Single-armed Bridging Clinical Trial (PHASE3)
- Second Dose of Varicella Vaccine in Healthy Children (PHASE3)
- Recombinant Herpes Zoster Vaccine in Patients With Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases Under Immunomodulators (PHASE4)
- A Phase III Clinical Trial to Evaluate Long-Term Protective Efficacy of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (CHO Cell) (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Varicella Vaccine CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Varicella Vaccine updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Novartis portfolio CI