VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASE SECTION
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) with
Varicella Immune Globulin
About varicella immune
globulin
Varicella immune globulin (VariZIGR,
Cangene Corporation, Winnipeg, Canada)
was FDA-approved in 2013, and is
recommended for post exposure
prophylaxis (PEP) by the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP) for certain individuals who can’t
receive the vaccine. For maximum effect, it
should be given as soon as possible, but can
be given for up to 10 days post-exposure.
Groups of exposed
individuals recommended
to receive VariZIG:
▪
Immunocompromised persons without
evidence of immunity.
▪
Newborns whose mothers have signs
and symptoms of varicella within 5 days
before delivery or within 2 days after
delivery.
▪
Premature infants born before 28 weeks
of gestation or who weigh 1,000 g or
less and were exposed during the
neonatal period, regardless of evidence
of maternal immunity.
▪
Premature infants born after 28 weeks
or more of gestation and who were
exposed during the neonatal period, in
the absence of maternal immunity.
Evidence of immunity to varicella
includes:
▪
Pregnant women without evidence of
immunity.
▪
Documented varicella vaccination.
▪
Laboratory test for VZV IgG showing
immunity, or laboratory confirmation
of disease.
Contact Information for
Obtaining VariZIG
▪
Documented history from a health care
provider of diagnosis of varicella
(chickenpox) or zoster (shingles), or
verification of a history of varicella or
zoster.
Candidates for VariZIG:
▪
Are at high risk for severe varicella,
▪
Have had an exposure likely to result in
infection, and
▪
Lack evidence of immunity to varicella.
Announcement: Expansion of VariZIG
distribution in the United States.
(www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/
mm6346a13.htm?s_cid=mm6346a13_w)
Minnesota Department of Health
Vaccine Preventable Disease Section
PO Box 64975, St. Paul, MN 55164
651-201-5414
www.health.state.mn.us/immunize
11/2015