Goldman 2009 cites Yih WK 2005 re: varicella vaccinations & herpes zoster rate increase.

[Guest guest]

From: Binstock <binstock@...>

Note the Harvard etc group's conclusion:

" As varicella vaccine coverage in children increased, the incidence

of varicella decreased and the occurrence of herpes zoster

increased. " (1)

The study is free online (2-3).

ps: This post may be forwarded hither & yon

1. The incidence of varicella and herpes zoster in Massachusetts as

measured by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) during

a period of increasing varicella vaccine coverage, 1998-2003.

Yih WK et al.

BMC Public Health. 2005 Jun 16;5:68.

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/5/68

Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention

Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

katherine_yih@...

BACKGROUND: The authors sought to monitor the impact of widespread

varicella vaccination on the epidemiology of varicella and herpes zoster.

While varicella incidence would be expected to decrease, mathematical

models predict an initial increase in herpes zoster incidence if

re-exposure to varicella protects against reactivation of the varicella

zoster virus. METHODS: In 1998-2003, as varicella vaccine uptake

increased, incidence of varicella and herpes zoster in Massachusetts was

monitored using the random-digit-dial Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance

System. RESULTS: Between 1998 and 2003, varicella incidence declined from

16.5/1,000 to 3.5/1,000 (79%) overall with > or = 66% decreases for

all age groups except adults (27% decrease). Age-standardized estimates

of overall herpes zoster occurrence increased from 2.77/1,000 to

5.25/1,000 (90%) in the period 1999-2003, and the trend in both crude and

adjusted rates was highly significant (p < 0.001). Annual age-specific

rates were somewhat unstable, but all increased, and the trend was

significant for the 25-44 year and 65+ year age groups. CONCLUSION: As

varicella vaccine coverage in children increased, the incidence of

varicella decreased and the occurrence of herpes zoster increased. If the

observed increase in herpes zoster incidence is real, widespread

vaccination of children is only one of several possible explanations.

Further studies are needed to understand secular trends in herpes zoster

before and after use of varicella vaccine in the United States and other

countries.

2. html

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/5/68

3. pdf

http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2458-5-68.pdf

..

Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian

Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USA

Vaccines -

http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/vaccine.htm or

http://www.wellwithin1.com/vaccine.htm

Vaccine Dangers, Childhood Disease Classes & Homeopathy

Online/email courses - next classes start October 28 & 29

http://www.wellwithin1.com/vaccineclass.htm or

http://www.wellwithin1.com/homeo.htm

[Guest guest]

From: Binstock <binstock@...>

Note the Harvard etc group's conclusion:

" As varicella vaccine coverage in children increased, the incidence

of varicella decreased and the occurrence of herpes zoster

increased. " (1)

The study is free online (2-3).

ps: This post may be forwarded hither & yon

1. The incidence of varicella and herpes zoster in Massachusetts as

measured by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) during

a period of increasing varicella vaccine coverage, 1998-2003.

Yih WK et al.

BMC Public Health. 2005 Jun 16;5:68.

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/5/68

Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention

Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

katherine_yih@...

BACKGROUND: The authors sought to monitor the impact of widespread

varicella vaccination on the epidemiology of varicella and herpes zoster.

While varicella incidence would be expected to decrease, mathematical

models predict an initial increase in herpes zoster incidence if

re-exposure to varicella protects against reactivation of the varicella

zoster virus. METHODS: In 1998-2003, as varicella vaccine uptake

increased, incidence of varicella and herpes zoster in Massachusetts was

monitored using the random-digit-dial Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance

System. RESULTS: Between 1998 and 2003, varicella incidence declined from

16.5/1,000 to 3.5/1,000 (79%) overall with > or = 66% decreases for

all age groups except adults (27% decrease). Age-standardized estimates

of overall herpes zoster occurrence increased from 2.77/1,000 to

5.25/1,000 (90%) in the period 1999-2003, and the trend in both crude and

adjusted rates was highly significant (p < 0.001). Annual age-specific

rates were somewhat unstable, but all increased, and the trend was

significant for the 25-44 year and 65+ year age groups. CONCLUSION: As

varicella vaccine coverage in children increased, the incidence of

varicella decreased and the occurrence of herpes zoster increased. If the

observed increase in herpes zoster incidence is real, widespread

vaccination of children is only one of several possible explanations.

Further studies are needed to understand secular trends in herpes zoster

before and after use of varicella vaccine in the United States and other

countries.

2. html

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/5/68

3. pdf

http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2458-5-68.pdf

..

Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian

Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USA

Vaccines -

http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/vaccine.htm or

http://www.wellwithin1.com/vaccine.htm

Vaccine Dangers, Childhood Disease Classes & Homeopathy

Online/email courses - next classes start October 28 & 29

http://www.wellwithin1.com/vaccineclass.htm or

http://www.wellwithin1.com/homeo.htm