[Varicella disease and varicella vaccine. A literature review].
Varicella is an infectious childhood disease. A safe and effective vaccine is accessible. The varicella disease usually takes a mild course but studies performed outside Denmark reveal a considerable occurrence of complications. There is no Danish account of morbidity and mortality following infection with varicella-zoster virus. According to experience from the USA, the introduction of routine vaccination will result in a decreasing incidence of the disease and will also reduce the frequency of complications caused by the disease. In addition, it will give indirect protection of non-vaccinated individuals (herd immunity). Introducing vaccination against varicella involves a potential risk of changing the epidemiology of the disease. Moreover, routine vaccination may affect the frequency and the severity of herpes zoster. Experience from the USA will give us a better basis of deciding whether vaccination against varicella should be implemented or not in the Danish childhood vaccination programme.
Frederiksen
Marianne Sjølin
MS
Statens Serum Institut, Medicinsk Afdeling, Sektor for Vaccine, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 København.
Plesner
Anne-Marie
AM
Stellfeld
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine