MedicinePOMEssential

Vaccine Varicella

A live vaccine (Varivax) that prevents chickenpox.

Clinical information

Common uses

preventing chickenpox (varicella) from 12 months of age

Common side effects

fever
injection-site soreness or redness
chickenpox-like rash

Cautions

not for people with weakened immune systems
avoid close contact with vulnerable people afterwards — vaccine virus can spread
avoid aspirin (salicylates) for 6 weeks after vaccination

Interactions

immune globulins and blood products
salicylates (aspirin)

Pregnancy: do not have this vaccine while pregnant

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, Varivax (varicella virus vaccine live) label (Merck), setid 524cf052-e90e-4595-af0a-608edbe9bd31 (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations2

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Varicella	Parenteral ( Vaccine )	Live attenuated varicella Virus Vaccine 2000 PFU	authorized medicine importers	POM
Varilrix	Parenteral ( Powder for injection )	Not less than 103,3 PFU2 2	State Trading Organization Plc. and ADK Pharmaceutical Company Pvt Ltd	POM