The burden of hospitalisation for varicella and herpes zoster in England from 2004 to 2013.
We aimed to determine the hospital burden of varicella-zoster virus infection (VZV) in England during 2004-2013 to support a future cost-effectiveness analysis of a childhood varicella vaccination programme.



We analysed the incidence, duration, outcome and costs of hospitalisations for VZV using the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database for the general and immunocompetent population. Mortality in HES was validated using data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).



The average annual incidences of admissions due to varicella and herpes zoster were 7.6 (7.3-7.9) and 8.8 (8.6-9.0) per 100,000, respectively. The immunocompetent population accounted for 93% and 82% of the admissions due to varicella and herpes zoster, respectively. The average yearly number of hospital days was 10,748 (10,227-11,234) for varicella and 41,780 (40,257-43,287) for herpes zoster. The average yearly hospital costs (£2013/14) were £6.8 million (6.4-7.2) for varicella and £13.0 million (12.8-13.4) for herpes zoster. The average annual numbers of deaths identified in HES due to varicella and herpes zoster were 18.5 (14.3-22.8) and 160 (147-172), respectively. Comparison with ONS mortality data indicated a high level of uncertainty.



Most of the hospital burden due to VZV-virus in England occurs in the immunocompetent population and is potentially vaccine-preventable.
Immunisation, Hepatitis and Blood Safety Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, NW9 5EQ, London, UK. Electronic address: peter.hobbelen@phe.gov.uk.
Peter H F
PH
Hobbelen
Immunisation, Hepatitis and Blood Safety Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, NW9 5EQ, London, UK.
Julia
J
Stowe
Immunisation, Hepatitis and Blood Safety Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, NW9 5EQ, London, UK.
Gayatri
G
Amirthalingam
Immunisation, Hepatitis and Blood Safety Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, NW9 5EQ, London, UK.
Liz
L
Miller
Immunisation, Hepatitis and Blood Safety Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, NW9 5EQ, London, UK; Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK.
Albert-Jan
AJ
van Hoek
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000191:economics; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine
Chickenpox; England; Herpes zoster; Herpesvirus 3; Hospital costs; Hospital mortality; Hospitalization; Human; Incidence; Length of stay