Use of varicella vaccine in healthy populations: systematic review and recommendations

Skull S A, Wang E E L, with the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care
Record ID 32003000022
English
Authors' objectives:

The aims of this report were:

1) To evaluate the evidence relating to the effectiveness and potential harms of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccine for the prevention of varicella in healthy individuals

2) To make recommendations regarding administration of VZV vaccine in healthy populations.

Authors' results and conclusions: Health benefits of VZV vaccine were evaluated in terms of prevention of VZV morbidity. The risks of vaccination were evaluated by examining immediate side effects and long-term risk for varicella and herpes zoster.
Authors' recommendations: There is good evidence based on effectiveness data to recommend in favour of routine vaccination of children aged 12-15 months and catch-up vaccination of children to 12 years for the prevention of VZV illness. There is fair evidence for the vaccination of susceptible adolescents and adults. Further clinical trials would be needed to provide better data on cost-effectiveness, mortality and hospitalization; long-term effectiveness in adults and to compare effectiveness of one- versus two-dose regimens in adolescents and adults.
Authors' methods: Systematic review
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: http://www.ctfphc.org/
Year Published: 2000
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Canada
MeSH Terms
  • Chickenpox
  • Chickenpox Vaccine
  • Child
  • Vaccination
Contact
Organisation Name: Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care
Contact Address: Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, 100 Collip Circle, Suite 117, London, ON, N6G 4X8, Canada. Tel: 519-858-5181; Fax: 519-858-5112
Contact Name: ctf@ctfphc.org
Contact Email: ctf@ctfphc.org
Copyright: Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.