WHAT VARILRIX IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR?

Varilrix is a chickenpox or ‘varicella’ vaccine. It is used to boost the body’s immune system to stop infection from chickenpox. This vaccine can be given to both adults and children older than 1 year. In this leaflet any reference to ‘you’ can also mean ‘your child’.

HOW VARILRIX WORKS?

Varilrix contains a small amount of a live but weakened ‘varicella-zoster’ virus which is the cause of chickenpox.  

  • there is not enough virus in the vaccine to make you ill.
  • there is just enough to trigger the body’s immune system to prepare itself to protect against these viruses in the future.
  • varilrix does not always completely protect you from catching chickenpox. People who catch chickenpox after receiving the vaccine usually get a mild form. They will have very few spots and blisters compared to people who have not had the vaccine.
  • varilrix is normally given to healthy teenagers and adults.
  • varilrix may sometimes be given to healthy children between 1 and 12 years of age who live with, or spend a lot of time with, people who have poor immune systems and who are likely to become seriously ill if they were to catch chickenpox.  
  • If you come in contact with someone who has chickenpox or shingles before both doses of Varilrix have been given or about 6 weeks after the second dose, the vaccine may not be able to prevent chickenpox.