Page updated 30 April 2007
Chickenpox & Shingles - Screening Staff Members & Immunisation
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Screening Staff Members
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Staff who think that they have not had chickenpox and those who are unsure will have serum tested for varicella antibodies as part of the pre-employment screen. The serum taken for rubella screening will also be used for this purpose.
Staff (in the following units Paediatric, Infectious Diseases, Neonatal and Obstetric Units,
Staff members who are not immune to varicella-zoster virus should not nurse patients with chicken pox or shingles.
Staff susceptible to varicella-zoster virus should not work in sensitive areas between 8 and 21 days after exposure; this will be decided by the Infection Control Team with Occupational Health for individual cases. Otherwise they should be aware of the prodromal syndrome (fever without respiratory symptoms).
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Immunisation
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Active (live attenuated) immunisation
Varicella-zoster virus vaccine has been recently licensed in the United Kingdom. Decisions as to whether or not to use this have yet to be made by Occupational Health / Virologist Professionals.
Passive (immunoglobulin) immunisation
Varicella-zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) may be offered by Occupational Health or non-immune staff who are immunosuppressed (e.g. on steroids, pregnant or with haematological malignancy).
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