OKA-SK-RIT Varicella vaccine for "primary" and for booster vaccinations

In seronegative children--healthy and immunocompromised--and in seronegative adults, we have limited but very promising results--no side reactions and good antibody-conversions with clinical protection. Because--in spite of positive humoral antibodies--10 to 20% of people over the age of 50 have a negative cell-mediated immune response against VZ and are therefore presumed Zoster patients, VZ-booster vaccinations were done in this age group. A significant increase in humoral antibodies can be induced at least in half of these elderly. In 23 elderly with a negative specific cell-mediated immunity against VZ, a booster vaccination induced a strong positive cell-mediated immune response in 9 and no response in 5.