Children aged 12 months to <14 years are recommended to receive 2 doses of varicella-containing vaccine
All children <14 years of age are recommended to receive 2 doses of varicella-containing vaccine, with the first dose given at 18 months of age. Children should receive this dose as MMRV vaccine. See Measles.
Children can receive varicella-containing vaccine from as young as 12 months of age. This can provide earlier protection against varicella, which may be appropriate in the context of travel or a varicella outbreak or childcare, or other circumstances of increased risk of transmission. A dose of varicella-containing vaccine given between 12 and 18 months of age does not need to be repeated at 18 months of age, but there is no safety concern if the child still receives the dose scheduled at 18 months of age.
One dose of varicella containing vaccine (MMRV) is funded through the NIP for children at 18 months of age. For details see the National Immunisation Program Schedule.
A 2nd dose of varicella-containing vaccine is recommended
A 2nd dose of varicella-containing vaccine is recommended
Children 12 months to <14 years of age are recommended to receive a second dose of varicella vaccine ≥4 weeks after the first dose. 2 doses of varicella-containing vaccine provide more protection and minimise the chance of breakthrough varicella in children <14 years of age (see Monovalent varicella vaccine).1 However, a 2nd dose of varicella-containing vaccine for children is not included on the National Immunisation Program schedule.
If parents or carers wish to minimise the risk of breakthrough varicella in children <14 years of age, a 2nd dose of varicella-containing vaccine is recommended (see Vaccines, dosage and administration).
Previous varicella infection is not a contraindication to varicella vaccine
Previous varicella infection is not a contraindication to varicella vaccine
Previous varicella infection is not a contraindication to varicella vaccination. Children who have had varicella infection can receive varicella-containing vaccines. See also Serological testing for varicella immunity from infection or vaccination.
There is no known increase in adverse events from vaccinating those with pre-existing immunity to 1 or more of the vaccine components (see Adverse events).
MMRV is not recommended as the 1st dose of MMR-containing vaccine
MMRV is not recommended as the 1st dose of MMR-containing vaccine
MMRV vaccine is not recommended as the 1st dose of MMR-containing vaccine in children aged <4 years. This is because of a small but increased risk of fever and febrile seizures when MMRV is given as the 1st dose of MMR-containing vaccine in this age group. See Measles, Mumps and Adverse events).
If MMRV is inadvertently given as dose 1 of MMR-containing vaccine, the dose does not need to be repeated, providing it was given at ≥12 months of age. See Table. Minimum acceptable age for the 1st dose of scheduled vaccines in infants. Advise parents and carers about the small increased risk of fever and febrile seizures compared with that expected after MMR vaccine.