Effectiveness of varicella vaccine in children infected with HIV.

Abstract

Although varicella vaccine is given to clinically stable human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children, its effectiveness is unknown. We assessed its effectiveness by reviewing the medical records of closely monitored HIV-infected children, including those receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) between 1989 and 2007. Varicella immunization and development of varicella or herpes zoster were noted. Effectiveness was calculated by subtracting from 1 the rate ratios for the incidence rates of varicella or herpes zoster in vaccinated versus unvaccinated children. The effectiveness of the vaccine was 82% (95% confidence interval [CI], 24%-99%; P = .01) against varicella and was 100% (95% CI, 67%-100%; P < .001) against herpes zoster. When the analysis was controlled for receipt of HAART, vaccination remained highly protective against herpes zoster.

• Authors: Moeun Son, Eugene D Shapiro, Philip LaRussa, Natalie Neu, David E Michalik, Michelle Meglin, Andrea Jurgrau, Wally Bitar, Marietta Vasquez, Patricia Flynn, Anne A Gershon
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 201 Issue 12 Pg. 1806-10 (Jun 15 2010) ISSN: 1537-6613 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20441519 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-HIV Agents
• Chickenpox Vaccine

Topics

• Anti-HIV Agents (therapeutic use)
• Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
• Chickenpox (epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Chickenpox Vaccine (immunology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• HIV Infections (drug therapy, immunology)
• Herpes Zoster (epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Humans
• Male