The current vaccine in use is a live attenuated viral vaccine that is used for prophylaxis, even 3-5 days after exposure.ÝÝ It was licensed in 1995 in the US. Statistics show that the Varicella Vaccine is able to induce antibodies for at least six years in 90% of people who respond to the vaccine.Ý Only 1% of responders get a mild case of the disease.

 

Recommendations:

…        all children without contraindications aged 12-18 months

…        all susceptible children by the 13^th birthday ñ susceptible in this case being a child that has not previously either been infected or immunized and has no history of chicken pox

…        highly susceptible adults and adolescents to be vaccinated include those who live or work in environment with a high likelihood of transmission such as:

…        Ýa school or day care center, or an institutional setting

…        nonpregnant women of childbearing age (reduces risk to fetus)

…        international travelers

…        military

…        health care workers.

 

Contraindications:

…        include those who are allergic to the vaccine

…        those experiencing immunosuppression (cellular, not humoral) due to leukemia, HIV etc

…        pregnancy

…        Ýpeople with acute or severe illnesses.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ

 

Coverage Rates:

Since the vaccine was developed in 1995, the vaccination rates of children aged 19-35 months are increasing in the US.

 

YearÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ % vaccinated (ages 19-35 months)

1996ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 16.0

1997                                                                                                        25.9%

1998                                                                                                        43.2%

 

ÝIn a short amount of time nearly half of a high-risk population has begun using the vaccine.Ý

Statistics examining vaccination rates in 1998 among children aged 19-35 months of different races and also of children below the poverty line show similar rates.Ý Approximately 40% of children in this age group below the poverty line were vaccinated in 1998.Ý Statistics in 1998 by ethnic group also given an indication as to how the US population is covered fairly equally in terms of socioeconomics.Ý

 

 

EthnicityÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ % vaccinated (ages 19-35 months)

WhiteÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 41.9

BlackÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 42.4

Hispanic ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 46.9

Asian/Pacific IslanderÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 52.6

Native American/Alaskan ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 28.0%ÝÝ

 

The question remains of how important it is for all children to be vaccinated with varicella, and also how many children who may have complications or high risk for complications with chicken pox are being vaccinated.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Ý