Trends in varicella and herpes zoster epidemiology before and after the implementation of universal one-dose varicella vaccination over one decade in South Korea, 2003-2015.

ABSTRACT: Background: In South Korea, the one-dose varicella vaccine was included in the National Immunization Program for children aged 12-15 months in 2005, and the vaccine coverage reached >95%. The impact of varicella vaccination on varicella and herpes zoster (HZ) was investigated, accounting for demographic changes over time.Methods: We calculated the crude and age-sex standardized incidence rates (IRs) and age-specific IRs of varicella and HZ from 2003 to 2015, using the National Health Information Database including approximately 50 million Koreans. The annual incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated using a negative binomial regression analysis, adjusting for age and sex.Results: The crude varicella IR steadily declined by 67%, from 5.70/1000 to 1.87/1000 person yea

SUBMITTER: Choi JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6930048 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature