Chickenpox vaccines currently circulating in the world today contain one of two venom-reducing living virus strains, Oka and MAV/06.
The MAV/06 strain, developed in South Korea, has been used for more than 30 years with tens of millions of doses of vaccine that have been vaccinated and fully proven safe and effective.
In terms of science, the two strains MAV/06 and Oka are genetically similar and belong to the same group of VZV viruses, so the immunity produced from the vaccine containing MAV/06 has the ability to effectively identify and neutralize different VZV strains, including the Oka strain [1]. The immune response obtained after vaccination with the MAV/06 strain is equivalent to the vaccine containing the Oka strain [2].
Practical use shows the effectiveness of the MAV/06 vaccine in South Korea, a country that only uses this vaccine in the National Immunization Program, completely equivalent to other countries using Oka vaccines.
Notably, in children who were fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine, even in cases of switching between the MAV/06 strain and the Oka strain, the risk of disease or complications did not increase [3].
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the equivalence of effectiveness between the two strains MAV/06 and Oka, and allows vaccine swaps when necessary, especially in booster doses. This makes vaccination regimens more flexible [4].
Thus, the chickenpox vaccine containing the MAV/06 strain is not only a replacement solution, but also an equivalent choice in terms of science and practice, contributing to maintaining the effectiveness of the vaccine in chickenpox prevention.
BARYCELA Inj., a new generation chickenpox vaccine developed by GC Biopharma from MAV/06, achieves immune efficacy and safety equivalent to Oka vaccine, and can be used in the current two-dose injection schedule [10].
Recommended 2-dose vaccination schedule to create optimal immunity
12 months – 12 years old:
- Nose 1: from 12 months old.
- Dose 2: at least 3 months after dose 1 or booster shot when children are 4–6 years old.
In Vietnam, NAVIVA GROUP is a unit authorized to distribute the MAV/ 06 generation 2 chickenpox vaccine called BARYCELA inj. (GC Biopharma - Korea). With more than 21 years of experience in the field of vaccines and medical biologicals, NAVIVA GROUP cooperates with medical facilities to enhance access to safe - effective - quality vaccines for the community.
The unit commits to ensuring stable supply, strictly complying with the preservation - transportation process according to GSP/GDP standards; and accompanying activities to raise awareness about proactive and safe vaccination.
💭Hotline for consultation: 0905 584 666
Facebook Website: www. naviva. com. vn
Facebook Email: info@naviva. com. vn
References
1. Hwang JY, et al. Cross-reactive humoral immunity of clade 2 Oka and MAV/06 strain-based varicella vaccines against different clades of varicella-zoster virus. Hum Vaccine Immunother. 2023 Dec 31;19(1):2210961.
2. Choi UY. et al. Seropositivity of Varicella zoster virus in vaccinated Korean children and MAV vaccine group. Hum Vaccine Immunother. 2016 Oct 2;12(10):2560-2564.
3. Kang, H.M. ; Kim, G.; Choe, Y.J. Safety of Interchanging the Live Attenuated MAV/06 Strain and OKA Strain Varicella Vaccines in Children. Vaccines 2023, 11, 1442.
4. WHO position paper on varicella vaccines – November 2025.
