Effectiveness of regional varicella vaccination programmes

• Nataliya M. Afonina
• Irina V. Mikheeva

Abstract

The article presents data on the epidemic process of varicella (chickenpox) in Moscow and the Sverdlovsk region against the background of many years of use of varicella vaccines in the implementation of regional programs for children’s immunization against varicella. An estimate of the volume of varicella vaccination in these regions is given.

Aim. Evaluation of the effectiveness of varicella vaccination within the framework of regional vaccination schedules in Moscow and the Sverdlovsk region for the scientific substantiation of recommendations for expanding the National Immunization Schedule of the Russian Federation.

Material and methods. To assess the epidemic situation in terms of the incidence of varicella in 2006–2021, data from forms No. 2 of the Federal State Statistical Observation “Information on infectious and parasitic diseases” and forms No. 23-17 “Information on outbreaks of infectious diseases” in Moscow in 2017–2021 were used. To assess the volume of vaccination against chickenpox, we took into account the data of form No. 5 of the Federal State Statistical Observation “Information on preventive vaccinations” in the Russian Federation and certain territories in 2013–2021. We have carried out a retrospective epidemiological analysis of the distribution of the incidence of chickenpox in general on the territory of the Russian Federation, Moscow and the Sverdlovsk region.

Results and discussion. In the regions of the Russia where the planned varicella vaccination of children is carried out with low coverage and the use of a single-dose immunization scheme, after the success of regional programs in the first years of their implementation, the “growing up” of infection, an increase in the incidence of varicella of children of the first year of life, and an increase in the probability of congenital forms were revealed. Against the background of a decrease in the incidence of varicella in 2020–2021, as a result of restrictive measures in organized groups, as part of the response to the COVID-19 epidemic, susceptible individuals accumulate, which allows predicting another epidemic increase in incidence.

Conclusion. Based on regional experience, it is recommended to introduce 2 doses of varicella vaccination into the National Vaccination Schedule with at least 90% coverage.

Keywords:chickenpox; morbidity; vaccinoprophylaxis; regional immunization programs; national vaccination schedule

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