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Varicella incidence declined after implementation of two-dose vaccine program
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Throughout the first 5 years of a two-dose varicella vaccination program, incidence, hospitalizations and outbreaks decreased, according to study findings published in Pediatrics.
“Declines in varicella incidence were seen across all age groups, including infants, who are not eligible for varicella vaccination, and adults, in whom vaccination levels are considered to be low, with a smaller proportion of cases among persons with immunocompromising conditions, providing evidence of the benefit of high levels of immunity in the population,” the researchers wrote.
Researchers examined varicella incidence and characteristics from Antelope Valley (AV), Calif., and West Philadelphia (WP) and outbreak characteristics from AV during 1995 to 2010.
More than 1,500 cases were reported from 2006 to 2010, 1,183 from AV and 345 from WP. Varicella incidence decreased by 76.3% in WP and 67.1% in AV from 2006 to 2010 (P<.001 for each location). In both surveillance areas, 61.7% of cases had been vaccinated with one dose and 7.5% with two doses from 2006 to 2010. Most vaccinated cases had fewer than 50 lesions, and no significant differences were found between the one-dose and two-dose groups.
Hospitalizations declined by more than 40% during 2006 to 2010 compared with 2002 to 2005 and more than 85% compared with 1995 to 1998. During 2007 to 2010, there were 12 outbreaks in AV, compared with 47 during 2003 to 2006 and 236 during 1995 to 1998.
“The varicella vaccination program in the United States had resulted in dramatic declines in varicella incidence, hospitalizations and deaths,” the researchers wrote. “Ongoing surveillance will be needed to describe more fully the impact of the routine two-dose varicella vaccination program in the United States. Full implementation of varicella vaccination recommendations across all age groups, including adolescents, adults, and women postpartum, remains critically important for ensuring the greatest possible protection of susceptible individuals at risk for severe varicella disease.”
Disclosure: The study was funded in part by the CDC.
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