Is waning immunity a problem with the varicella vaccine?
The length of protection/immunity from any new vaccine is never known when it is first introduced. Available data from following up children vaccinated in prelicensure clinical trials indicate that protection from varicella vaccine lasts for at least 25 years (Japanese data) and 14 years (U.S. data). Experience with other live viral vaccines (e.g. measles, rubella) has shown that post vaccination, immunity remains high throughout life. For these vaccines, second doses are needed to cover the small percent of people who fail to seroconvert after the first dose (primary vaccine failure). Follow-up studies continue to assess levels of immunity in vaccines as disease incidence declines.
Related Questions
- If zoster vaccine is not indicated for persons whose varicella immunity is based vaccination, will these recommendations change with time as all these vaccinated persons age and approach 60?
- Is waning immunity a problem with the varicella-containing vaccines?
- Is waning immunity a problem with the varicella vaccine?
