title: Varicella prevention in Costa Rica: impact of a one-dose schedule universal vaccination.
abstract: To describe the impact following a 1-dose Varicella vaccination schedule introduced in Costa Rica in September 2007. Areas covered: This is a retrospective review using epidemiologic surveillance national databases of varicella cases and hospitalizations, period 2000-2015. We analyzed age-related varicella incidence cases and hospitalization trends before and after the vaccine introduction. Expert commentary: Varicella vaccine coverage among children 16 months age increased from 76% in 2008 to 95% in 2015. During this period Costa Rica reached a 73.8% reduction of Varicella reported cases and 85.9% reduction of hospitalizations in the general population. Among children under 5 years of age, that reduction was 79.1% and 87%, respectively. Varicella complications in hospitalized patients decreased 98%, from n = 53 in 2008 to n = 1 in 2014. After 8-years post implementation of a 1-dose schedule of universal varicella vaccination, a dramatic overall disease reduction in incidence, hospitalizations and complicated cases has been observed in all age groups.
authors: a Servicio de Infectología Pediátrica , Hospital Nacional de Niños "Dr. Carlos Sáenz Herrera", Centro de Ciencias Médicas, Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS) , San José , Costa Rica.
authors: María L
authors: ML
authors: Avila-Aguero
authors: a Servicio de Infectología Pediátrica , Hospital Nacional de Niños "Dr. Carlos Sáenz Herrera", Centro de Ciencias Médicas, Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS) , San José , Costa Rica.
authors: Rolando
authors: R
authors: Ulloa-Gutierrez
authors: a Servicio de Infectología Pediátrica , Hospital Nacional de Niños "Dr. Carlos Sáenz Herrera", Centro de Ciencias Médicas, Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS) , San José , Costa Rica.
authors: Kattia
authors: K
authors: Camacho-Badilla
authors: a Servicio de Infectología Pediátrica , Hospital Nacional de Niños "Dr. Carlos Sáenz Herrera", Centro de Ciencias Médicas, Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS) , San José , Costa Rica.
authors: Alejandra
authors: A
authors: Soriano-Fallas
authors: b Programa Ampliado de Inmunizaciones , Dirección de Vigilancia de la Salud, Ministerio de Salud , San José , Costa Rica.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Arroba-Tijerino
authors: c Independent Consultant , San José , Costa Rica.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Morice-Trejos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003364:Costa Rica / Q000453:epidemiology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant
chemical_list: D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine
keywords: Central America; Costa Rica; Latin America; Varicella vaccine; impact; prevention; vaccine introduction