Canada's First Universal Varicella Immunization Program: Lessons from Prince Edward Island

A live attenuated varicella vaccine was licensed in Canada in December 1998. The first universal varicella immunization program in Canada was initiated in Prince Edward Island in 2000. Students in grades one to six without a history of varicella were offered the vaccine, administered by Public Health Nurses, in school clinics during February and March 2000. The acceptance rate ranged from 29.1% of all grade one students to 9.8% of all grade six students; overall, 18.8% of students received the vaccine. A universal program for children 12 months of age was introduced on April 1, 2000 and catch-up clinics for those between 12 months of age and those in grade one were introduced in June 2000. Repeated media announcements and the cooperation of staff in schools and daycare facilities assisted in informing parents about the availability of the vaccine. Vaccine-associated adverse events have been uncommon and the vaccine has been well accepted.