The new varicella vaccine: efficacy, safety, and administration.

Since the FDA has given approval for the manufacture of a varicella vaccine (Varivax), nurses are beginning to administer the vaccine to children. Over 11,000 healthy and immunocompromised children have been immunized since 1979. Varivax has been found to be 95% to 100% effective in conferring immunity for at least 10 years, and it appears to be a safe vaccine. This article presents a review of the research literature on clinical trials of Varivax, and the risks, benefits, and projected cost of the vaccine. Precautions, contraindications, and guidelines for administration are tabled and discussed in a sample case using the Health Belief Model as a theoretical framework. The article includes a discussion of areas for further research and implications for nursing.