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Varivax vaccine
Varivax is a live attenuated varicella-zoster virus vaccine that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and cellular immunity against the virus that causes chickenpox.
Varivax is a live attenuated varicella-zoster virus vaccine that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and cellular immunity against the virus that causes chickenpox. Used for Prevention of varicella (chickenpox) in children and adults, Prevention of herpes zoster (shingles) in adults ≥50 years of age.
At a glance
| Generic name | Varivax vaccine |
|---|---|
| Also known as | VARIVAX™, Varivax® |
| Sponsor | Sanofi |
| Drug class | Live attenuated vaccine |
| Target | Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) |
| Modality | Biologic |
| Therapeutic area | Immunology / Infectious Disease |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
The vaccine contains a weakened form of the varicella-zoster virus (Oka strain) that replicates in the body at low levels, triggering both humoral (antibody) and cell-mediated immune responses. This primes the immune system to recognize and rapidly respond to natural varicella-zoster virus infection, preventing or significantly reducing the severity of chickenpox and reducing the risk of herpes zoster (shingles) later in life.
Approved indications
- Prevention of varicella (chickenpox) in children and adults
- Prevention of herpes zoster (shingles) in adults ≥50 years of age
Common side effects
- Injection site reactions (erythema, swelling, tenderness)
- Fever
- Varicella-like rash (vaccine strain)
- Myalgia
- Headache
Key clinical trials
- 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)
- Study of the Safety of a 21-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Healthy Infants From Approximately 2 Months of Age (PHASE3)
- Study of a 21-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Healthy Infants From Approximately 2 Months of Age (PHASE3)
- Lot-to-lot Consistency Study of a 21-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Healthy Infants From 2 Months of Age (PHASE3)
- Study of a 4-Dose Regimen of a 21-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Healthy Infants From Approximately 2 Months of Age (PHASE3)
- Precision Medicine Approach for Early Dementia & Mild Cognitive Impairment (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:
- Varivax vaccine CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Varivax vaccine updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Sanofi portfolio CI