[NVIC] Chickenpox in Vaccinated Kids plus Shingles Vaccine

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BL Fisher Note:

But the question is: Is it wild strain or vaccine strain chicken pox?

For 99.9 percent of children in the U.S. and other modern countries, chicken

pox does not cause complications or death. And the immunity achieved after

recovery from the disease is qualitatively superior to the immunity (if any)

given by the vaccine. Because chicken pox vaccine has been used on a mass

basis in the U.S. since 1985 and the disease-induced immunity of older

children and adults is no longer passively " boosted " through contact with

younger children who get chicken pox. This has caused an epidemic of

shingles among older children and adults.

Now the drug company that makes chicken pox vaccine wants to market a

" shingles " vaccine in an attempt to prevent shingles caused by mass use of

chicken pox vaccine.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/051216/outbreak.shtml

The Decatur Daily, AL

Chickenpox outbreak at Hazel Green school

HAZEL GREEN (AP) - More than 100 students at a Madison County elementary

school have gotten chickenpox over the past two months, but local and state

health officials said it's no cause for alarm.

Students in kindergarten through fourth grade are required to be vaccinated

for the chickenpox, but the vaccine has no guarantee.

" The trouble is the vaccine is somewhat fragile, " said Dr. J.P. Lofgren,

state epidemiologist, on Thursday.

The vaccine's failure rate is about 15 percent, according to the federal

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccine became available in

1995.

Dr. Kimberlin, who works in the pediatric infection diseases division

at The University of Alabama at Birmingham, said the infections at Hazel

Green Elementary may be a sign that the vaccine is working to prevent

harsher symptoms of the virus.

" It's very important for parents to realize the vaccine is doing what it

supposed to do. It is preventing moderate to severe and even

life-threatening chickenpox, " he said.

Those who are vaccinated and still catch the virus have lighter symptoms,

usually with fewer than 50 blisters and low fever.

Madison County officials said that's been the case at Hazel Green

Elementary, where most of the students have returned to school within three

days.

The county health department audited the school immunization records

Wednesday to figure out why the school had such a high number of chickenpox

cases. They found a high rate of immunization among the students.

" It's not really that surprising that there are still cases happening. The

vaccine isn't close to being 100 percent effective, " said on, a

disease intervention specialist.

" At least the kids who are getting the disease aren't getting the worst case

of it. "

Lofgren said the vaccine dampens the number of outbreaks, making them less

frequent.

" There was lots more chickenpox around before we had the vaccine, " he said.

" Because there haven't been outbreaks recently, the number of people

susceptible has increased. "

Chickenpox is a highly contagious virus that is mainly spread by coughing

and sneezing.

http://news./s/ap/20051216/ap_on_he_me/shingles_vaccine_5

AP via News

Shingles Vaccine Gets Qualified 'Yes'

By JOHN J. LUMPKIN, Associated Press Writer

Thu Dec 15, 7:30 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Federal health advisers endorsed a proposed vaccine on Thursday

to help prevent shingles, an often-excruciating disease that afflicts as

many as 1 million adults every year.

The Food and Drug Administration's advisory panel on vaccines said the

vaccine for shingles appeared to be safe and effective in people aged 60 and

older. However, panelists worried its effectiveness may not last, and said

it appeared to be less effective in people over 80.

The vaccine, Zostavax, was developed by Merck & Co., which sought to have it

approved for use in people aged 50 and older.

But Merck conducted trials mostly on people 60 and older, leaving the

members of the FDA panel on vaccines uncertain whether it was safe or

effective for those in their 50s.

Whether to approve the vaccine for sale is now in the hands of the FDA,

which often follows the advice of its advisory panels. Even if the FDA

approves it for use only in those 60 and older, doctors could still

prescribe it for younger people.

People develop shingles as they age because their immunity to the chickenpox

virus wanes. The condition usually starts with pain or itching in a band on

the skin, followed by a rash or blisters that can last for days or weeks. It

can sometimes cause long-term nerve pain.

" The need is there, " Dr. Silber, a senior researcher with Merck,

told the FDA panel.

Although they generally supported its use, panelists questioned how long the

vaccination would be effective, or whether it would only stave off shingles

for a few years.

If its effectiveness does decrease, a patient might have to get a booster or

risk becoming more seriously ill with the condition once the vaccine wears

off.

Silber said the trials showed the vaccine was effective for at least four

years, and studies were ongoing to establish its long-term effectiveness,

which remains uncertain.

" This is always a question with every new vaccine, " he said.

Panelists wondered about data that suggested its effectiveness decreased in

people 70 and older. Dr. Rohan of the FDA said the trial data

showed some drop-off in effectiveness among people over 70 years old.

While most vaccines prevent the body from acquiring an illness, this vaccine

is unusual in that it may prevent a flare-up of a virus already in the

system.

Panelists called on Merck to conduct additional studies on the vaccine.

Zostavax is based on the company's chickenpox vaccine, but is built around a

much more potent dose.

The favorable vote is another boost for beleaguered Merck, which also won an

endorsement of its new vaccine for rotavirus on Wednesday. Merck is facing

thousands of lawsuits over its Vioxx painkiller.

On the Net:

FDA: http://www.fda.gov

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