Exposure to varicella boosts immunity to herpes-zoster: implications for mass vaccination against chickenpox.
We present data to confirm that exposure to varicella boosts immunity to herpes-zoster. We show that exposure to varicella is greater in adults living with children and that this exposure is highly protective against zoster (Incidence ratio=0.75, 95% CI, 0.63-0.89). The data is used to parameterise a mathematical model of varicella zoster virus (VZV) transmission that captures differences in exposure to varicella in adults living with and without children. Under the 'best-fit' model, exposure to varicella is estimated to boost cell-mediated immunity for an average of 20 years (95% CI, 7-41years). Mass varicella vaccination is expected to cause a major epidemic of herpes-zoster, affecting more than 50% of those aged 10-44 years at the introduction of vaccination.
Brisson
M
M
Immunisation Division, PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, London, UK. mbrisson@phls.org.uk
Gay
N J
NJ
Edmunds
W J
WJ
Andrews
N J
NJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000276:immunology*; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D008875:Middle Aged
D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine