title: Review of the Varilrix varicella vaccine.
abstract: Varicella zoster virus causes an acute infection that affects most children globally, but the age of infection can be greater in residents of tropical areas. It has generally been considered a mild disease, although there are accumulating data to show that it can cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompetent as well as immunocompromised children and adults. Oka-strain live attenuated varicella vaccines were developed in the 1970s. Varilrix developed by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals (Rixensart, Belgium), is one of the vaccines produced and marketed in over 80 countries. Similar to the other Oka-strain vaccines, Varilrix is safe, immunogenic and efficacious in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent children and adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. ssschiu@hkucc.hku.hk
authors.forename: Susan S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Yu-Lung
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Lau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007223:Infant; D007938:Leukemia / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine