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

[Guest guest]

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

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