Have cases of chickenpox declined in the United States since chickenpox vaccine became available?
Prior to the availability of varicella vaccine, approximately 4 million cases of varicella occurred each year in the U.S. Although varicella is frequently perceived as a disease that does not cause serious illness, especially among healthy children, many persons are not aware that an average of 10,600 (range 8,000-16,500) hospitalizations and 100 to 150 deaths due to chickenpox occurred every year in the United States before the varicella vaccine became available. The majority of the severe complications and deaths occurred in previously healthy individuals. The availability of the varicella vaccine beginning in 1995 and its subsequent widespread use has had a major impact on reducing varicella disease. In states consistently reporting cases to the national surveillance system, rates of varicella in 2004 were 53%-88% lower compared to the pre-vaccine era. In two sites with active surveillance for chickenpox, incidence declined across all age groups, with an overall decline of ~90% from
Related Questions
- Is there any preventive treatment available after exposure to chickenpox for susceptible persons who are not eligible to receive chickenpox vaccine?
- Have cases of chickenpox declined in the United States since chickenpox vaccine became available?
- Is the vaccine effective in preventing all cases of chickenpox?
