Varicella Vaccine Potency and Stability During Transport and Delivery

• Published in: Kansenshogaku Zasshi Vol. 85; no. 2; pp. 161 - 165
• Main Authors: KAMIYA, Hitoshi, ASANO, Yoshizo, OZAKI, Takao, BABA, koichi, KUMAGAI, Takuji, NAGAI, Takao, SHIRAKI, Kimiyasu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases 01.03.2011
• Subjects: Chickenpox Vaccine - immunology; Chickenpox Vaccine - standards; vaccine; varicella
• ISSN: 0387-5911; 1884-569X
• DOI: 10.11150/kansenshogakuzasshi.85.161

Oka varicella vaccine was developed to confer active immunity to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in immunocompromized and immunocompetent children. It is now used to prevent varicella in about 20 million people worldwide. Although VZV infection is relatively unstable compared to other viruses, cell-free virus is stabilized and lyophilized vaccine has been developed. Virus titers were evaluated in vaccine distributed to six clinics in 5 years. Yearly mean virus titers at the vaccine producer were 42,000～67,000 plaque-forming units per dose, corresponding to Oka varicella vaccine (Zostavax) used to prevent zoster and postherpetic neuralgia by Oxman et al. Virus titer was found to be stable during delivery to clinics. Virus titers of varicella vaccine were equivalent to Zostavax and vaccine delivered to clinics had enough virus titer to confer active immunity to VZV in this study.