Determining the rate of varicella vaccine rash in children with moderate-severe eczema.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the rate and severity of vesicular reactions following varicella vaccine in children with moderate-severe eczema. Secondary endpoints included the rates and severity of local reactions and eczema severity change within 42 days of vaccination.


METHODS
Prospective open intervention pilot study of varicella vaccine in children aged 12 months to 13 years with moderate-severe eczema. Children were given varicella vaccine alone and followed for 42 days after vaccination.


RESULTS
Fifty children, aged 12 months to 10.5 years were recruited, with complete follow-up for 48. A vesicular rash with a single lesion occurred in one child (2.1% (95% CI: 0, 11.1%)), 10 days following vaccination. Local reactions, including erythema, swelling and tenderness, were reported in eight children (16.7%). A flare-up of moderate-severe generalized eczema was reported in one child (2.1%) during the first week following varicella vaccine.


CONCLUSIONS
Vesicular rash and local reactions following varicella vaccination were no more common or severe in children with moderate-severe eczema than that reported in the published literature in children without eczema. Eczema in the 42 days following vaccination did not appear to increase in severity.
Frydenberg
A R
AR
Immunisation Service, Department of General Medicine, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Buttery
J P
JP
Royle
J
J
D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004485:Eczema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014739:Victoria
D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine