The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7209 p150
3 August 2002

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News summary

Varicella-zoster vaccine launched

A vaccine containing live, attenuated varicella-zoster virus, Varilrix, has been launched this week by GlaxoSmithKline (see p155). The vaccine was previously available on a named-patient basis.

Varilrix is indicated for active immunisation against varicella in healthy adults and adolescents (>=13 years) who have been found to be seronegative to varicella-zoster virus and are, therefore, at risk of developing chickenpox.

The company says that the main use of the vaccine will be to vaccinate health care workers who did not have chickenpox as a child and who are not immune to the virus. It says that a policy recommending that non-immune health care workers should receive Varilrix is being considered by the Department of Health.

The Department says that the vaccine's use in the National Health Service, to protect vulnerable patients, will be considered in due course.