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Varicella in Infants After Implementation of the US Varicella Vaccination Program.
- Source :
-
Pediatrics . Dec2011, Vol. 128 Issue 6, p1071-1077. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To describe varicella disease in infants since implementation of the varicella vaccination program in the United States. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1995 to 2008, demographic, clinical, and epidemiologic data on cases of varicella in infants were collected prospectively through a community-based active surveillance project. We examined disease patterns for infants in 2 age groups: 0 to 5 and 6 to 11 months. RESULTS: Infant varicella disease incidence declined 89.7% from 1995 to 2008. Infants aged 0 to 5 months had milder clinical disease than those aged 6 to 11 months: ≥50 lesions, 49% vs 58% (P = .038); fever (body temperature > 38°C), 12% vs 21% (P = .014); and varicella-related complications, 6% vs 14% (P = .009), respectively. Age was an independent predictor of the occurrence of complications. CONCLUSIONS: The varicella vaccination program has resulted in substantial indirect benefits for infants, who are not eligible for vaccination. Presence of maternal varicella-zoster virus antibodies might explain attenuated disease in very young infants likely born to mothers with history of varicella. Although varicella disease incidence has declined, exposure to varicella-zoster virus continues to occur. Improving varicella vaccination coverage in all age groups will further reduce the risk of varicella exposure and protect those not eligible for varicella vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00314005
- Volume :
- 128
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Pediatrics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 69971155
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-0017