Abstract: The invention provides an inactivated varicella zoster virus (VZV), and compositions and vaccines comprising said inactivated VZV, wherein the infectivity of the VZV is undetectable and wherein the inactivated VZV induces an immune response against VZV when administered to a patient. In embodiments of the compositions described herein, the VZV is inactivated with gamma radiation. The invention also provides a method of preparing an inactivated VZV vaccine, the method comprising gamma irradiating a sample comprising a VZV using from about 5 kGy to about 50 kGy of gamma radiation. Also provided by the invention herein is a method of treatment of or immunization against HZ or other disease associated with the reactivation of VZV, the method comprising administering to a subject a vaccine or pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an inactivated VZV and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the VZV is inactivated by gamma irradiation.

Abstract: The invention provides an inactivated varicella zoster virus (VZV), and compositions and vaccines comprising said inactivated VZV, wherein the infectivity of the VZV is undetectable and wherein the inactivated VZV induces an immune response against VZV when administered to a patient. In embodiments of the compositions described herein, the VZV is inactivated with gamma radiation. The invention also provides a method of preparing an inactivated VZV vaccine, the method comprising gamma irradiating a sample comprising a VZV using from about 5 kGy to about 50 kGy of gamma radiation. Also provided by the invention herein is a method of treatment of or immunization against HZ or other disease associated with the reactivation of VZV, the method comprising administering to a subject a vaccine or pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an inactivated VZV and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the VZV is inactivated by gamma irradiation.

Abstract: The invention provides an inactivated varicella zoster virus (VZV), and compositions and vaccines comprising said inactivated VZV, wherein the infectivity of the VZV is undetectable and wherein the inactivated VZV induces an immune response against VZV when administered to a patient. In embodiments of the compositions described herein, the VZV is inactivated with gamma radiation. The invention also provides a method of preparing an inactivated VZV vaccine, the method comprising gamma irradiating a sample comprising a VZV using from about 5 kGy to about 50 kGy of gamma radiation. Also provided by the invention herein is a method of treatment of or immunization against HZ or other disease associated with the reactivation of VZV, the method comprising administering to a subject a vaccine or pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an inactivated VZV and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the VZV is inactivated by gamma irradiation.

Abstract: A live, attenuated varicella zoster virus vaccine is produced with enhanced yield of VZV. The new process makes mass production of a live VZV vaccine more practical. In addition, optimized monoloyer cell culture conditions provide a process for maximizing monolayer cell density which is useful for enhancing viral vaccine production. According to this process, cell densities approaching 500,000 cells/cm.sup.2 are routinely achieved in conventional culture vessels.

Abstract: A live, attenuated varicella zoster virus vaccine is produced with enhanced yield of VZV. The new process makes mass production of a live VZV vaccine more practical.