Varicella routine vaccination and the effects on varicella epidemiology - results from the Bavarian Varicella Surveillance Project (BaVariPro), 2006-2011

Background: In 2004, routine varicella vaccination was recommended
in Germany for children 11-14 months of age with one dose, and
since 2009, with a second dose at 15-23 months of age. The effects
on varicella epidemiology were investigated. Methods: Data on
varicella vaccinations, cases and complications were collected from
annual parent surveys (2006-2011), monthly paediatric practice
surveillance (Oct 2006 - Sep 2011; five varicella seasons) and
paediatric hospital databases (2005-2009) in the area of Munich
(about 238,000 paediatric inhabitants); annual incidences of cases
and hospitalisations were estimated. Results: Varicella vaccination
coverage (1st dose) in children 18-36 months of age increased in
two steps (38\%, 51\%, 53\%, 53\%, 66\% and 68\%); second-dose
coverage reached 59\% in the 2011 survey. A monthly mean of 82
(62\%) practices participated; they applied a total of 50,059
first-dose and 40,541 second-dose varicella vaccinations, with
preferential use of combined MMR-varicella vaccine after
recommendation of two doses, and reported a total of 16,054
varicella cases