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Varicella vaccination in Australia and New Zealand

Kristine K Macartney1, Margaret A Burgess

  • 1National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia. kristinm@chw.edu.au

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|May 3, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Varicella vaccination in Australia has led to fewer hospitalizations in young children. New Zealand does not fund the varicella vaccine, but future combination vaccines may alter immunization schedules.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes significant disease burden, including hospitalizations and deaths in Australia and New Zealand.
  • The varicella vaccine has been available in Australia since 1999 and funded nationally since 2005 for children.
  • In New Zealand, the vaccine is available but not funded or recommended on the national schedule.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the impact of varicella vaccination on disease burden in Australia and New Zealand.
  • To review current varicella immunization policies in both countries.
  • To anticipate the effect of new combination vaccines on future immunization schedules.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Australian hospitalization data for varicella.
  • Review of national immunization program policies in Australia and New Zealand.
  • Examination of trends in varicella disease incidence and vaccination coverage.

Main Results:

  • Australian hospitalization data indicate a decline in varicella cases among children aged 1-4 years, likely due to vaccination.
  • Varicella vaccination is part of Australia's National Immunisation Program for children.
  • New Zealand has not incorporated the varicella vaccine into its national immunization schedule.

Conclusions:

  • Varicella vaccination appears effective in reducing disease burden in Australian children.
  • Differences in national immunization policies between Australia and New Zealand regarding varicella vaccine are evident.
  • The introduction of combination measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccines may prompt changes in immunization schedules in both countries.

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