Varicella virus vaccine Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 1, 2023.
Varicella virus vaccine is also known as: Varivax
Varicella virus vaccine Pregnancy Warnings
Wild-type varicella can cause congenital varicella infection, but it is not known if vaccine strains may cause fetal harm. Fetal damage has not been documented with varicella vaccines. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.
All exposures to varicella containing vaccines during pregnancy or within three months prior to conception should be reported as suspected adverse reactions at www.vaers.hhs.gov.
AU TGA pregnancy category B2: Drugs which have been taken by only a limited number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age, without an increase in the frequency of malformation or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the human fetus having been observed. Studies in animals are inadequate or may be lacking, but available data show no evidence of an increased occurrence of fetal damage.
Use is contraindicated.
AU TGA pregnancy category: B2
US FDA pregnancy category: Contraindication
Comments:
-Pregnancy should be avoided for 1 to 3 months after vaccination.
Varicella virus vaccine Breastfeeding Warnings
Caution is recommended.
Excreted into human milk: Unknown
Excreted into animal milk: Data not available
Comments:
-Limited evidence from women vaccinated postpartum with the vaccine strain of varicella did not detect the virus, viral DNA, or viral antigen in breast milk.
-The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consider the administration of live virus vaccines compatible with breast-feeding.
See also
References for pregnancy information
- Product Information. Varivax (varicella virus vaccine). Merck & Co., Inc. 2022.
- Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.
- Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.
References for breastfeeding information
- Product Information. Varivax (varicella virus vaccine). Merck & Co., Inc. 2022.
- CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. General recommendations on immunization. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2002;51(RR-2):1-35.
- Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.
- Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.