Modeling the clinical and economic impact of universal varicella vaccination in Belgium with dynamic population.

ABSTRACT: Although universal varicella vaccination (UVV) significantly reduces morbidity and mortality, it has not been implemented in Belgium. We evaluated the clinical and economic outcomes of two-dose UVV in Belgium. A previously published dynamic transmission model with dynamic population age structure was adapted to Belgium. The base case UVV strategy (Strategy 0) consisted of routine two-dose varicella vaccination at ages 1 year (vaccine coverage rate [VCR] = 95%) and 8 years (VCR = 90%), catch-up one-dose varicella vaccination at 8 years (VCR = 70%, 1-year duration), and routine two-dose herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination at 60 years (VCR = 50%). Alternative vaccination strategies were evaluated and reported. The reference strategy consisted of routine two-dose HZ vaccination only. Outcomes were

SUBMITTER: Lang JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12788688 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature