Abstract
BACKGROUND: Routine childhood varicella vaccination, implemented in 1995, has resulted in significant declines in varicella-related hospitalizations in the United States. Varicella hospitalization rates among the American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) population have not been previously documented.
METHODS: We selected varicella-related hospitalizations, based on a published definition, from the Indian Health Service inpatient database for AI/ANs in the Alaska, Southwest and Northern Plains regions (1995-2010) and from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the general US population (2007-2010). We analyzed average annual hospitalization rates prevaccine (1995-1998) and postvaccine (2007-2010) for the AI/AN population, and postvaccine for the general US population.
RESULTS: From 1995-1998 to 2007-2010, the average annual varicella-related hospitalization rate for AI/ANs in the 3 regions decreased 95% (0.66-0.03/10,000 persons); the postvaccine rate appears lower than the general US rate (0.06, 95% confidence interval: 0.05-0.06). The rate declined in all AI/AN pediatric age groups. Infants experienced the highest prevaccine (14.07) and postvaccine (0.83) hospitalization rates. Adults experienced low rates in both periods. Varicella vaccination rates in 19- to 35-month-old AI/AN children during fiscal years 2008-2010 were 88.1-91.0%.
CONCLUSIONS: Widespread use of varicella vaccine in AI/AN children was accompanied by substantial declines in varicella-related hospitalizations consistent with high varicella vaccine effectiveness in preventing severe varicella outcomes.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 276-279 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | The Pediatric infectious disease journal |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 1 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Microbiology (medical)
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health