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live attenuated varicella virus (Oka strain)
- Development stage
- Approved
- Lead developer
- Merck
- Modality
- Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
- Administration
- Subcutaneous, Intramuscular
01
Overview
The Oka strain varicella vaccine is a live, attenuated viral vaccine used for active immunization to prevent varicella (chickenpox) in individuals aged 12 months and older. Originally isolated in Japan in the early 1970s by Michiaki Takahashi from the vesicular fluid of a child with natural varicella, the parental Oka strain was attenuated through sequential passage in human embryonic lung cells, embryonic guinea pig fibroblasts, and human diploid cell lines (such as WI-38 and MRC-5). The vaccine works by stimulating the host immune system to produce both humoral (antibody-mediated) and cell-mediated immune responses against the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It is widely marketed globally under various brand names, including Varivax (Merck) and Varilrix (GSK), and is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly.
- Brand names
- BaikeBio PoxOkaVaxSKYVaricellaVarilrixVarivaxVarizost
- Other names
- Oka strain varicella vaccinelive attenuated varicella vaccinevaricella vaccinevaricella vaccine (live)varicella virus vaccine livevaricella virus vaccine live (Oka strain)varicella-zoster vaccine
02
Targets
HSPG (Basement membrane-specific heparan sulfate proteoglycan core protein (perlecan))IDE (Insulin-degrading enzyme)IGF2R (Cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor)MAG (Myelin-associated glycoprotein)TLR2 (Toll-like Receptor 2)
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