Varicella vaccination in children with atopic eczema

Abstract

Chickenpox in children may be complicated by local or systemic bacterial infections. Group A streptococci and S. aureus are the predominant pathogens. Children with atopic dermatitis are particularly prone to bacterial superinfection. After the introduction of universal varicella vaccination in the USA ten years ago, the number of serious bacterial soft tissue infections in children dropped significantly. Since 2004, the VZV immunization has also been included in the routine German series.Many children with atopic dermatitis have not been immunized because of concerns on the part of parents or physicians. Recent studies demonstrated the safety and efficacy of VZV vaccination in children with atopic dermatitis who appear to benefit particularly from this vaccination.

Incidence of chickenpox in young South Korean soldiers and correlation with atopic dermatitis

“…16 Before this, vaccinations had already been prescribed since 2001 for certain patient groups including those who presented with severe AD or who were found to be seronegative. 14 Military personnel participating in the present study were born in or before 1988, and the rate of immunization with varicella vaccination may be much lower than expected because routine varicella immunization was only officially recommended for children aged 12-15 months in Korea in 2004, although the vaccination has been available since 1988.…”

“…16 No difference in the immune response to VZV between healthy children and those with AD is apparent, and the varicella vaccination is reported to be safe and effective in patients with AD. 16 No difference in the immune response to VZV between healthy children and those with AD is apparent, and the varicella vaccination is reported to be safe and effective in patients with AD.…”

“…The German immunization commission recommended that children between the ages of 9-17 years without a history of chickenpox should be vaccinated for varicella in addition to the initial vaccination programme for all children aged 11-14 months. 16 Before this, vaccinations had already been prescribed since 2001 for certain patient groups including those who presented with severe AD or who were found to be seronegative. 16 Primary vaccine failures or waning vaccine-induced immunity could be restored by a second dose of varicella vaccine, which is recommended for all children in many countries.…”

“…16 Before this, vaccinations had already been prescribed since 2001 for certain patient groups including those who presented with severe AD or who were found to be seronegative. 16 Primary vaccine failures or waning vaccine-induced immunity could be restored by a second dose of varicella vaccine, which is recommended for all children in many countries.…”

“…In AD-infected patients with VZV, the overall duration of disease and accompanying fever was longer, and exanthem and itching were more severe in these patients than in children without AD. 16 No difference in the immune response to VZV between healthy children and those with AD is apparent, and the varicella vaccination is reported to be safe and effective in patients with AD. 4,17 Because of the tendency towards waning immunity after varicella vaccination and specific environmental factors similar to those affecting the military personnel in this study, 21,22 a varicella screening-vaccination programme needs to implemented in the Korean military, as has been the case in the US Navy since December 1996, which has resulted in a reduction in chickenpox incidence by > 80%.…”