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The effect of active immunization on varicella-related hospitalizations in Israel

Liat Lerner-Geva1, Galit Hirsh-Yechezkel, Ilia Novikov

  • 1Women and Children's Health Research Unit, The Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. liatl@gertner.health.gov.il

Human Vaccines
|February 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

The introduction of the varicella vaccine Varilix in Israel has significantly reduced hospitalizations for vaccinated children. While no overall national reduction is yet observed, vaccinated individuals show over 60% lower risk of varicella hospitalization.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Vaccinology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Varicella (chickenpox) can lead to severe complications requiring hospitalization.
  • The varicella vaccine Varilix was licensed in Israel in June 2000.
  • Monitoring vaccine impact on disease-related hospitalizations is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of the Varilix vaccine on varicella hospitalizations in Israel.
  • To assess changes in hospitalization rates following vaccine introduction.
  • To estimate the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing severe varicella disease.

Main Methods:

  • Data collection on children hospitalized with varicella in Israel from 1998 to 2003.
  • Analysis of national varicella-related hospitalization rates before and after vaccine introduction.
  • Calculation of relative risk (RR) for hospitalization in vaccinated versus unvaccinated populations.

Main Results:

  • A decrease in national varicella hospitalizations was observed in 2001-2002, followed by an increase in 2003.
  • An estimated greater than 60% reduction in hospitalization risk for vaccinated children (RR = 0.32).
  • Significant reduction in hospitalizations specifically among vaccinated children.

Conclusions:

  • The Varilix vaccine demonstrates significant effectiveness in reducing varicella hospitalizations in vaccinated children.
  • No clear national trend of reduced hospitalizations has been established yet, warranting continued surveillance.
  • Vaccination is a key strategy for preventing severe varicella outcomes and associated hospitalizations.

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