AccessMyLibrary provides FREE access to over 30 million articles from top publications available through your library.
Create a link to this page
Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:
BALTIMORE -- The incidence of varicella cases and hospitalizations dropped by about 80% between 1995 and 2000 in several areas of the country being monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Jane Seward reported in a poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies.
The greatest drop was among children aged 1-4 years, but declines were seen in all age groups, said Dr. Seward of the CDC in Atlanta.
In another presentation, Dr. Karin Gail of the CDC reported that the proportion of breakthrough cases of varicella is increasing at these sites, although there is no evidence of waning immunity.
The three sentinel surveillance sites--Antelope Valley Calif.; West Philadelphia, Pa.; and Travis County Tex.--have been monitored since 1995 to evaluate the impact of the live attenuated varicella vaccine. Reports of varicella cases come from schools and preschools, child care centers, physicians, public health clinics, large employers, and households.
Vaccine use is monitored through the Vaccine for Children Program and estimates of coverage are based on the National Immunization Survey.