Given the many cases of varicella we still see and hear about, won’t individual case-reporting of varicella take up a lot of time and resources for local health departments?
Yes, it definitely can, and it can take up a lot of time for the people who will report the cases to the health department as well. There are two key ways to decrease the impact of implementing case-based varicella surveillance. First, instead of collecting all of the data on the varicella worksheet, jurisdictions that are beginning surveillance programs may initially report three key variables on each reported case: age, varicella vaccination history, and severity of disease. These data will allow the states and CDC to assess the impact of vaccination on disease reduction in specific age groups and possible shifts in varicella incidence to older persons as well as appropriate targeting of vaccination programs by age; evaluate the proportion of all cases that are vaccinated (or have breakthrough disease), and better understand vaccine effectiveness; and assess severity of remaining disease, and how vaccination may alter severity. As it becomes more feasible, states should consider inco
Related Questions
- Given the many cases of varicella we still see and hear about, won’t individual case-reporting of varicella take up a lot of time and resources for local health departments?
- How often are individual members contacted for market research or anything else in a given time period?
- Has consideration been given to the alignment of resources, time and organizational structures?
