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Shorter time between varicella doses likely optimal
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A shorter break between two doses of varicella vaccine may be the optimal vaccination schedule to reduce breakthrough disease, but more data are needed, according to study results.
Researcher Peter Wutzler, MD, of the Institute of Virology and Antiviral Therapy, Jena University Hospital in Germany, and colleagues write an analysis of PubMed and other studies published between 1995 and 2012 on varicella vaccination.
The researchers noted no “consistent trend between breakthrough varicella rate and time since vaccination” in all 19 articles.
Vytautas Usonis
However, Wutzler and colleagues, including Infectious Diseases in Children Editorial Board member Vytautas Usonis, MD, reported that their literature review suggested “that antibody titers fall during the first year post-vaccination, which, even if this reflects a type of rapid waning immunity, indicates that the second dose should be given soon after the first, since antibody titers are correlated with protection.”
The researchers said their findings may hold implications for countries that are considering universal vaccination recommendations, but “potential disruption to well-established vaccination schedules should be considered.”
Disclosure: Wutzler reports having served as a consultant for GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi-Pasteur MSD and holding a number of shares in GlaxoSmithKline.
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