Decline in Mortality Due to Varicella after Implementation of Varicella Vaccination in the United States

Abstract

The program of universal childhood vaccination against varicella in the United States has resulted in a sharp decline in the rate of death due to varicella.

Trends in varicella mortality in the United States: Data from vital statistics and the national surveillance system

“…A greater proportion (29%) of the varicella deaths identified through national varicella death surveillance involved persons with immunocompromising conditions compared to 5% of deaths identified through vital statistics, during 2008-2011 and 11-18% during 1999-2007. 4, 18 The additional data collected as part of national varicella death surveillance through investigation of medical records allowed us to identify a 2-fold higher proportion of deaths occurring in individuals who were immunocompromised in part as a result of availability of data on treatment with immunosuppressive medications. Analyses using data reported through vital statistics are limited to identifying immunocompromised status using preexisting medical conditions.…”

Safety and Immunogenicity of a Combination: Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella Vaccine (ProQuad®)

“…7,8 The vaccines have been highly effective in reducing the incidence of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] In 2004, the estimated coverage rates among US children 19 to 35 months of age were 93% for M-M-R ® II and 88% for VARIVAX ® . 20 A combination measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine (ProQuad ®1 ) was developed by Merck & Co., Inc., evaluated in clinical trials, and recently licensed.…”

Varicella in Infants After Implementation of the US Varicella Vaccination Program

“…After implementation of the varicella vaccination program in the United States in 1995, a remarkable decline in varicella morbidity and mortality was documented. [13][14][15][16] By 2000 -2005, reduction in varicella disease incidence had occurred in all age groups, including infants. 13,14 A communitybased varicella active surveillance project in the United States provided investigators with the opportunity to examine 14 years of data (1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008) that could be used to better describe the epidemiology and clinical presentation of varicella disease in infants.…”