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Varicella zoster vaccines
Author(s) -
Creed Rosella,
Satyaprakash Anita,
Ravanfar Parisa
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1111/j.1529-8019.2009.01226.x
Subject(s) - medicine , postherpetic neuralgia , varicella vaccine , varicella zoster virus , incidence (geometry) , pediatrics , population , virus , virology , immunology , immunization , environmental health , antibody , physics , neuropathic pain , optics , pharmacology
In the past, the varicella zoster virus affected virtually the entire population and had substantial morbidity and mortality associated with both primary varicella and herpes zoster reactivation. Since the varicella vaccine was first approved in 1995, there has been a significant decline in incidence, morbidity, and mortality caused by primary varicella. Breakthrough disease with the one‐dose vaccine schedule led to the recommendation in 2006 that children receive a two‐dose vaccine series. Older adults have also benefited from the development of the zoster vaccine. In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved the zoster vaccine, a higher concentration of the same live attenuated virus used in the primary varicella vaccine, for persons 60 years of age or older. It has the potential to help millions of people avoid the pain associated with reactivation of the varicella zoster virus by reducing the incidence and severity of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.