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[Vaccination of chickenpox in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia]
A Navajas1, I Astigarraga, A Fernández-Teijeiro
1Unidad de Oncología Pediátrica, Hospital de Cruces, Baracaldo, Vizcaya.
Insights
The varicella vaccine effectively prevents chickenpox and herpes zoster in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in remission. Vaccination achieved high seroconversion rates and reduced infection incidence during chemotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Context:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a common childhood cancer.
- Children with ALL often have compromised immune systems, increasing susceptibility to infections.
- Varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles) infections can be severe in immunocompromised individuals.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the immunologic status of children with ALL.
- To assess the efficacy and safety of the varicella vaccine in children with ALL in remission.
- To determine the impact of vaccination on the incidence of chickenpox and herpes zoster infections.
Summary:
- 71 children diagnosed with ALL between 1983 and 1996 were studied.
- 25 children in continuous complete remission for one year received the varicella vaccine.
- Seroconversion rates were 76% after one dose and 92% after two doses, with adequate vaccine tolerance.
- Vaccinated children showed a decreased incidence of herpes zoster during chemotherapy compared to unvaccinated children.
Impact:
- The varicella vaccine is a safe and effective method to prevent varicella and herpes zoster in children with ALL in remission.
- Vaccination is a priority for protecting this vulnerable population from severe infections.
- Findings support current recommendations for vaccinating children with ALL.
Abstract:
Varicella vaccine has shown its efficacy to prevent the disease and complications in healthy and immunodeficient children. In this article the authors evaluate the immunologic status of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at diagnosis and at follow up and the development of chickenpox and/or herpes zoster. Children with negative serology and continuous complete remission of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia for one year were vaccinated. Of 71 children diagnosed of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia from 1983 to 1996, 25 received the vaccine and seroconversion was obtained in 76% after one dose and 92% after the second dose. Vaccine tolerance was adequate. The incidence of herpes zoster infection was decreased in vaccinated children during chemotherapy compared to the wild-virus infected ones. Nowadays that vaccine for healthy children is recommended, we consider a priority to protect from chickenpox the children affected by leukaemia that are in continuous complete remission of the disease.