Varicella vaccine in children with chronic renal insufficiency

This study reports the antibody response and clinical follow-up of uraemic children awaiting kidney transplantation after administration of the Oka-strain varicella vaccine (Varilirix). Seroconversion was observed in 20 out of 23 patients found to be seronegative when tested by the fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen technique, and an antibody booster response was observed in 41 out of 47 seropositive patients. Mild clinical varicella occurred in 5 vaccinated patients and herpes zoster in 3 initially seropositive ones. Nevertheless, a dramatic decrease in the incidence of both varicella and herpes zoster was observed in a series of 330 consecutive transplantations after the introduction of the varicella vaccine.