What is varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG)?

VZIG is made from blood and contains antibodies that protect against the varicella zoster virus. The virus causes varicella (also called chickenpox) and shingles (also called herpes zoster). VZIG provides fast protection, but the protection is not long lasting.

What is varicella (chickenpox)?

Varicella is a virus that causes fever and an itchy rash that looks like small water-filled blisters. It spreads easily through the air by coughing, sneezing, or touching open blisters.

Varicella is usually mild, but can be more serious in newborns, teens, adults, and people with weakened immune systems. 

Health problems from varicella can include:

• skin infections
• pneumonia (a type of lung infection)
• blood infections
• other deadly infections

If you are pregnant and get varicella, there is a small risk of having a miscarriage or your baby being born with a health condition.

If you get varicella a few days before or after you have your baby, they have a high risk of getting very sick or dying.

What is shingles (herpes zoster)?

The varicella virus stays in your body after your symptoms are gone. The virus can become active again and cause shingles. 

Shingles usually appears as a painful, blistering rash on 1 side of your body. The rash can last for several weeks.

Shingles can cause very bad nerve pain that can last for months. The pain can prevent you from doing daily activities such as walking, sleeping, or visiting with friends and family.

Anyone who had varicella can get shingles. About 1 in 3 Canadians will get shingles.

Shingles is most common in adults over age 50 years and people with weakened immune systems.

People who've had varicella vaccine are less likely to get shingles.

A person who is not protected against varicella can get it by touching a shingles rash.

Who can get VZIG?

You may get VZIG if you are at risk of getting very sick from varicella after contact with it and you’re not protected. People at risk of getting very sick may include:

• people with a weakened immune system
• people who are pregnant
  
• premature babies if the person who gave birth is not protected
• newborns if the person who gave birth gets varicella within a few days of birth
  

How many doses do I need?

You need 1 dose of VZIG as soon as possible after contact with the virus.

How well does VZIG work?

VZIG helps prevent varicella. If you do get varicella, VZIG helps prevent you from getting very sick.

Is VZIG safe?

VZIG is a safe blood product. The risk of getting an infection from VZIG is very small. 

Canadian Blood Services carefully screens donors and tests all blood. Blood is not used if the donor has risk factors or tests positive for an infectious disease. VZIG is treated with heat and chemicals to kill germs.

Where can I get VZIG?

Contact your healthcare provider or call Health Link at 811 if you've had contact with varicella or shingles and you:

• are pregnant and have never had varicella, shingles, or a varicella vaccine
  
• have a weakened immune system
  

Are there side effects from VZIG?
There can be side effects from VZIG, but they tend to be mild and go away in a few days. Side effects may include:

• bruising, itching, and feeling sore where you had the needle
• headache
• chills
• feeling tired
  
• trouble sleeping
  
• body aches
• changes to sense of taste
  
• feeling sick to your stomach (nausea)
• a rash
• flushing—a sudden feeling of warmth in the face, neck, or chest
  

It’s important to stay at the hospital or public health office for 15 minutes after you have VZIG. Some people may have a rare but serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If anaphylaxis happens, you will get medicine to treat the symptoms.

It’s rare to have a serious side effect. Call Health Link at 811 to report any serious or unusual side effects.​

How can I manage side effects?

• To help with soreness, put a cool, wet cloth over the area where you had the needle.
• There is medicine to help with fever or pain. Check with your healthcare provider if you are not sure what medicine or dose to take. Follow the directions on the package.
• Some people with health problems, such as a weakened immune system, must call their healthcare provider if they get a fever. If you have been told to do this, call your healthcare provider even if you think the fever is from VZIG.

What vaccines protect against varicella and shingles?

For long-term protection, you need to be immunized with a vaccine that protects against varicella or shingles (herpes zoster).

Vaccines that protect against varicella:

• MMR-Var protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. Children can get this vaccine at age 12 and 18 months.
  
• VZ protects against varicella. You can get this vaccine if you’ve never had varicella. Children can also get this vaccine at age 12 and 18 months if they don’t get the MMR-Var vaccine.
  

Vaccines that protect against shingles:

• Shingrix protects against shingles. You can get this vaccine free of charge if you’re age 18 years or older and have had or will have an organ transplant. If you are not having an organ transplant, you can get this vaccine if you’re age 50 years or older, but you need to pay for it.

Can VZIG affect any vaccines I’ve had?

VZIG can interfere with live vaccines, including vaccines to prevent varicella. 

Before getting a live vaccine, tell your healthcare provider if you had VZIG in the past 5 months. 

If you had a live vaccine less than 14 days before having VZIG, ask a public health nurse if you need the live vaccine again.

I have a fear of needles. How can I prepare for my immunization?

Many adults and children are afraid of needles. There are things you can do before, during, and after immunization to be more comfortable. Visit Commitment to Comfort for tips to make immunization a better experience.

More information about immunization

• Go to primarycarealberta.ca/immunize​.
  
• Call Health Link at 811.