[Immunisation against varicella].
Two vaccines against varicella are now being licensed in France, both deriving from the Oka strain. Seroconversion has been obtained in almost 100% of the cases after one dose in toddlers and children, and two doses in adolescents and adults. Efficacy has been mainly established from the US experience, where a universal immunisation programme of children aged > 12 months with a catch-up for susceptible adolescents and adults was begun in 1995. The incidence of varicella has decreased by about 85% over all age groups. The safety of the vaccine is good, and most adverse events are represented by fever, reactions at the injection site and varicella-like rashes. For the time being, France has adopted restrictive recommendations for the use of this vaccine because of uncertainties with respect to the duration of protection, a shift of the disease towards older age and the potential increase of the incidence of herpes-zoster.
Floret
Daniel
D
Urgence et Réanimation Pédiatriques, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France. daniel.floret@chu-lyon.fr
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D014481:United States
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine