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Dear Jacob, Greetings from Southend on the east coast of England. Here is some info on your recent posting. In the UK for all vaccination advice and evidence we turn to this book. Immunisation against infectious disease – The GREEN BOOK The updated Chapter 34 on Varicella (still says draft) provides information on VZIG. Full text available at http://www.doh.gov.uk/greenbook/greenbookpdf/ch34varicella.pdf According to this chapter (page 12) “VZIG is given by intramuscular injection. It must not be given intravenously”. But this book deals only with two preparations; Bio Products Laboratory (BPL), Elstree and Protein Fractionation Centre (PFC) Edinburgh. This clinical guideline from New Zealand recommends IM route although the type of preparation is not specified. http://www.adhb.govt.nz/newborn/Guidelines/Infection/VZIGInformation.htm IV administration of VZIG is reported in the literature. This RCT evaluated the efficacy, safety, and serum concentrations of a new VZIG that can be given intravenously (Cangene Pharm., Inc.). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi? cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11865962&dopt=Abstract The authors concluded that the new intravenous form of VZIG confers higher initial levels of VZV antibodies and is comparable in terms of its maternal efficacy and safety to the standard form of VZIG This study ascertained the incidence of PHN after a prophylactic intravenous injection of varicella-zoster hyperimmune globulin (VZV-IG) (Varitect Biotest Pharma). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi? cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12413432&dopt=Abstract I found some information on the product through the WWW. The web translation has not come out well but these two points caught my attention. “The effects of the product on the immune system of the baby, have not been study to you”. “During the infusion the speed of 20 drops to the minute does not have to be exceeded (correspondents to 1 ml/minuto)”. http://www.torrinomedica.it/studio/schedefarmaci/VARITECT.htm You need to enter this URL in to http://babelfish.altavista.com/ and choose translate from Italian to English. Hope this is of some interest/?help. With warm regards & very best wishes, Badri Dr.P.Badrinath MD,BS,M.Phil,MPH,PhD,MFPHMI SPR in Public Health & Recognised Clinical Teacher, Southend PCT & University of Cambridge, UK http://myprofile.cos.com/badrishanthi