Chickenpox running scared
CMAJ 1997;157:504
© 1997 Canadian Medical Association
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A vaccine against chickenpox is receiving its first trial in Canada, with 3 hospitals taking part in a manufacturer-sponsored trial of the vaccine's safety. Dr. Francisco Diaz-Mitoma of the University of Ottawa, a principal investigator, says 500 children will be enrolled through the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa, the Vancouver Children's Hospital and the IWK Grace Health Centre in Halifax.
Although chickenpox is usually just an annoying childhood ailment, Diaz-Mitoma said 1 in 200 children who contract it are admitted to hospital with complications such as hepatitis, encephalitis, arthritis or pneumonia. For malnourished children or children with immunosuppression caused by leukemia, chickenpox can be life threatening. The disease can also lead to lost work days for parents, a significant rate of illness in adults and outbreaks in hospital wards. The vaccine, manufactured by SmithKline Beecham, has proved more than 90% effective in other countries, not only in healthy children but also in those with leukemia, who stand to benefit from the prevention of chickenpox and its sequelae.
A similar vaccine was launched in Japan in 1984 but had to be stored at -20°C to maintain its potency. The new formulation can be stored at 2°C to 8°C, making it much easier to include in routine vaccination schedules. SmithKline Beecham is sponsoring this trial and plans to seek approval for the vaccine's use in Canada.
The vaccine contains an attenuated form of the varicella virus; as a result, up to 4% of children vaccinated in previous trials have had a minor rash and chickenpox lesions (usually less than 10) following vaccination. However, these effects are not as severe as the disease itself. It is not yet known what impact vaccination has on the risk of shingles. -- C.J. Brown
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