Advanced Varicella Vaccine in Dubai

We administer VARILRIX, the chickenpox vaccine Dubai parents and adults trust for reliable varicella protection. Manufactured by GSK, VARILRIX is one of the most widely used chickenpox vaccines globally and is approved for use in children from 12 months of age and in adults who have never had chickenpox. The vaccine contains a weakened form of the varicella-zoster virus that stimulates the immune system to produce protective antibodies without causing the disease.

Children require two doses of the varicella vaccine. The first dose is given at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose is given at 4 to 6 years of age, typically before school entry. Both doses are needed for optimal protection — one dose provides approximately 85% protection, while two doses increase protection to approximately 98% against severe chickenpox. If your child has missed either dose, catch-up vaccination can be arranged at our clinic.

Yes, varicella vaccination is part of the DHA-recommended childhood immunization schedule and is required for school enrollment in Dubai. KHDA, GEMS, Taaleem, and other educational authorities require documented proof of two varicella vaccine doses or a history of prior chickenpox infection confirmed by a physician. Our clinic issues official UAE vaccination records with clinic stamp and physician signature that are accepted by all schools in Dubai.

Yes, and it is strongly recommended. Adults who have never had chickenpox are at risk of more severe disease than children, with higher rates of varicella pneumonia, encephalitis, and hospitalization. Adults receive two doses of VARILRIX spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart. If you are unsure whether you had chickenpox as a child, a simple blood test (varicella IgG serology) can determine your immunity status before vaccination.

If you are planning pregnancy and have never had chickenpox or the vaccine, you should be tested for varicella immunity (varicella IgG antibody test). If you are non-immune, VARILRIX should be administered before conception. You must wait at least one month after the second dose before attempting pregnancy, as the varicella vaccine is a live vaccine and is contraindicated during pregnancy. Chickenpox during pregnancy can cause congenital varicella syndrome or severe neonatal infection, making pre-conception vaccination an important safety measure.

The most common side effects of VARILRIX include soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, which resolves within a few days. A mild varicella-like rash with a small number of spots may appear 5 to 26 days after vaccination in about 3 to 5% of recipients; this is not contagious chickenpox but a mild vaccine reaction. Low-grade fever and fatigue may occur for one to two days. Serious reactions are extremely rare. All patients are observed for 15 minutes after vaccination as a standard safety measure.

The varicella vaccine significantly reduces the risk of shingles (herpes zoster) by preventing the initial chickenpox infection. Shingles occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, which remains dormant in nerve cells after chickenpox, reactivates later in life. Since vaccinated individuals either never get infected with the wild-type virus or carry only the weakened vaccine strain, their risk of shingles is substantially lower than that of individuals who had natural chickenpox. Studies show that vaccinated children develop shingles at rates 78% lower than children who had natural chickenpox.

VARILRIX is a live attenuated vaccine and is generally contraindicated in patients with severe immunodeficiency, including those receiving high-dose immunosuppressive therapy, active chemotherapy, or with untreated HIV with low CD4 counts. However, household contacts of immunocompromised individuals are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated to provide indirect protection. Our doctors carefully assess each patient's immune status and medical history before recommending vaccination and will advise on the safest approach for your specific situation.