Varicella-zoster vaccine in the USA: success for control of disease severity, but what next?
In the period from 1990 to 1994, before the introduction of a varicella vaccine to the USA, approximately 100 deaths in otherwise healthy individuals, children and adolescents under 20 years of age, were attributable to varicella complications. The administration of a single-dose vaccine has now been widespread in the USA for nearly 10 years; however, since the effectiveness of a single dose in children under 13 years of age in an outbreak situation is approximately 80%, consideration of a second booster dose is in progress although not yet recommended. Licensure of a measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine may hasten the recommendation.
Watson
Barbara
B
Jefferson Medical College, Medical Specialist, Immunization Program, Division of Disease Control, The Philadelphia Department of Public Health, 500S Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA. Barbara.Watson@phila.gov
D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine