Chickenpox in Poland in 2017

Chickenpox is a common disease in Poland, which is usually mild, but can lead to serious complications. Vaccination is an effective form of prevention. Before the introduction of universal vaccination against chickenpox, high incidence was recorded in many countries. In Poland, since 2003, vaccinations are recommended for people who did not get sick, and since 2009, compulsory for children up to 12 years of age particularly exposed to infection and children from their surroundings.

To assess epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland in 2017, including vaccination coverage in Polish population, in comparison to previous years.

Assessment of the epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland in 2017. was based on the results of the analysis of aggregate data published in the annual bulletins: “Infectious diseases and poisoning in Poland in 2017” and “Protective Vaccination in Poland in 2017. In addition, the recommendations from the Protective Vaccine Program for 2017 were used.

In 2017, 173 196 cases of chickenpox were registered in Poland, 7.21% more than in the previous year. The incidence of varicella in 2017 was 450.8 per 100,000. and was higher than in 2016 . The lowest incidence was registered in the Dolnośląskie voivodeship – 324.6/ 100,000, the highest in the Opolskie voivodeship – 601.0 / 100,000. The most incidence was observed among children aged 0-4 years (88 711). Incidence in men was higher than in women, and the rural population higher than for urban residents. In 2017, 1200 people were hospitalized due to chickenpox. 75 040 people were vaccinated against varicella.

SUMMARY. In 2017, there was a slight increase in the number of smallpox cases compared to the previous year, however, the incidence remains lower than in 2012-2014. An effective method of preventing it is chickenpox vaccination, which despite the lack of universal funding is being carried out in ever greater population. Further improvement of the epidemiological situation requires public health education in the field of primary prevention based on vaccination. As recommended, the smallpox vaccination course includes two doses of the vaccine at least 6 weeks apart from the previous dose.