Archives of Disease in Childhood 2007;92:1051-1052
Perspectives
Varicella vaccine
Should the UK introduce varicella vaccine?
1 Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, United Bristol Healthcare Trust, Bristol, UK
2 Department of Clinical Science at South Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Adam Finn, Institute of Child Life and Health, Level 6, UBHT Education Centre, Upper Maudlin St, Bristol BS2 8AE, UK; Adam.Finn@bristol.ac.uk
Perspective on the paper by Cameron et al (see page 1062)
| The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. |
Chickenpox has traditionally been viewed as an irritating but inevitable infection to be endured during childhood, a rite of passage during the preschool years. This benign view persists despite evidence that certain groups, including neonates, adults, pregnant women and the immunocompromised, have higher risk of severe disease. Few data on the incidence of severe complications and death in children are available; however, such information might change our view of the disease, especially considering that such morbidity and mortality may now be regarded as vaccine preventable.
Population incidence is approximately 13–16 cases per 1000 with substantial year-to-year variation with 2–5-yearly epidemics.1 Recently, incidence in pre-school children has risen relative to primary school age children, possibly due to the increased mixing at child-care centres and playgroups.2 3 For every 1000 cases of varicella, between two and five will require hospital admission,2 4–6 with the majority being children, reflecting higher childhood incidence.
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Arch. Dis. Child. 2007 92: 1062-1066.[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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