Varicella and paediatric staff: current practice and vaccine cost-effectiveness

This study was undertaken to audit staff varicella policy for UK paediatric centres, and to estimate the cost-effectiveness of implementing a staff varicella vaccine policy. A telephone survey of 22 hospitals was performed to determine the policy regarding varicella immune status among healthcare workers (HCWs). All hospitals surveyed except one recorded immune status of informed HCWs, and had a policy of exclusion from work if they developed chickenpox. The total cost of vaccine implementation for nurses at the John Radcliffe Hospital neonatal unit over 5 years was estimated at 1601 pounds sterling versus 2474 pounds sterling for the estimated total cost of varicella exposure. Therefore it is likely that vaccination represents a cost-effective intervention.