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Varicella immune globulin recommended for postexposure prophylaxis
CDC recommends that the varicella zoster immune globulin preparation be given as postexposure prophylaxis to those with no evidence of immunity to varicella and who are at high risk for severe disease, according to Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
The preparation (VariZIG, Cangene) was approved by the FDA in December and is the only approved anti-varicella-zoster virus immune globulin available in the United States. It is derived from human plasma that contains high levels of varicella antibodies.
The recommendation is for patients to receive the immune globulin within 96 hours of exposure to varicella virus for the greatest effectiveness, and no more than 10 days after exposure. The CDC also expanded the recommendation by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to administer the immune globulin to premature infants during the entire period of their hospital care. These guidelines are in line with those of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Besides premature children, others who should receive the immune globulin upon exposure to varicella virus include immunocompromised patients without evidence of immunity, newborns whose mothers have signs and symptoms of varicella around the time of delivery and pregnant women without evidence of immunity.
Patients who become eligible for vaccination after receiving the immune globulin should receive the vaccine at least 5 months after administration of the immune globulin.