Hanyang Med Rev.  2008 Aug;28(3):30-36.

Varicella Vaccine

• Choi EH

Abstract

Recent issues in varicella vaccination Varicella is a highly infectious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. The varicella vaccine was developed by Michiaki Takahashi in Japan in 1974. Despite the worldwide distribution of efficient vaccines, varicella vaccination policy is extremely variable from country to country. Although varicella vaccine is not currently recommended as an universal vaccination in Japan, Europe, and developing countries, it had been introduced into Korea in 1988 and 20 years have passed since its first use in Korea. Currently, the varicella vaccine has been used most extensively in the United States where routine a 2-dose vaccination program has been recently implemented for children. Recent the 2-dose schedule in the United States and the availability of combination measles-rubella-varicella vaccines may lead to future varicella vaccination policy changes in many countries. With this background, this article summarizes the current status of varicella vaccination policies worldwide and presents provisional updated recommendation of varicella vaccination in Korea.

Keyword

Varicella zoster virus; Varicella vaccine; Breakthrough infection; Outbreak

MeSH Terms

Appointments and Schedules
Chickenpox
Chickenpox Vaccine
Child
Collodion
Communicable Diseases
Developing Countries
Europe
Herpesvirus 3, Human
Humans
Japan
Korea
United States
Vaccination
Vaccines
Chickenpox Vaccine
Collodion
Vaccines