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[Varicella vaccination: who should be vaccinated these days?]

Boris Hügle1, Philipp Suchowerskyj, Volker Schuster

  • 1Universitätsklinik für Kinder und Jugendliche, Leipzig. boris.huegle@medizin.uni-leipzig.de

MMW Fortschritte Der Medizin
|April 29, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Routine varicella vaccination for infants was recommended in Germany in 2004. This strategy aims to reduce varicella incidence and complications like herpes zoster.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Public Health
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • The German National Commission for Vaccinations (STIKO) previously issued recommendations for varicella vaccination.
  • Varicella vaccination guidelines targeted adolescents and at-risk groups.
  • Live attenuated VZV vaccines are contraindicated in immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To update and consolidate recommendations for varicella vaccination in Germany.
  • To inform healthcare providers about the routine infant varicella vaccination schedule.
  • To highlight contraindications for VZV vaccination.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing vaccination guidelines and data.
  • Analysis of STIKO recommendations from July 2004.
  • Consideration of international experience, particularly from the United States.

Main Results:

  • STIKO recommended routine varicella vaccination for all healthy infants starting July 2004.
  • The recommendation included co-administration with the first MMR vaccination.
  • Previous recommendations for adolescents and at-risk groups remain in effect.

Conclusions:

  • Routine infant varicella vaccination is a key public health strategy.
  • Widespread VZV vaccination decreases varicella incidence and complications.
  • Contraindications for VZV vaccination must be strictly observed.

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