Chickenpox Vaccine Analysis

Varicella zoster is a highly infectious viral disease, known familiarly as chickenpox, which is a member of the herpes group of viruses. Varicella zoster is a DNA virus and is a member of the herpes virus group. Like other herpes viruses, VZV has the capacity to persist in the body after the primary (first) infection as a latent infection.It is usually a mild disease that lasts a short time in healthy children. However, it can be severe in adults and may cause serious or even fatal complications in people of any age. Chickenpox is a vaccine preventable disease, and vaccination is recommended as part of routine childhood immunisation. The vaccine should not be given to children with severe immune deficiency diseases, including HIV/AIDS, or to
any child taking high doses of immune suppressing medicine. Immunisation against chickenpox is included in the combination measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine for children at 18 months. Until the end of 2017, the varicella vaccine (VV) is also offered to all 12-13 year old children in year 7 of secondary school through a school-based catch-up program.
Chicken pox takes from 10 to 21 days after exposure to a person with chickenpox or shingles for someone to develop chickenpox. A person can spread the disease 1-2 days before the symptoms start. If a person vaccinated for chickenpox gets the disease, they can still spread it to others. For most people, getting chickenpox once provides immunity for life. However, for a few people, they can get chickenpox more than once, although this is not common. Varicella can be spread through contact,
Until the mid-1990s, infectious complications of the Central Nervous System (CNS) caused by VZV reactivation were regarded as rare. The presences of rash, as well as specific neurological symptoms, were required to diagnose a CNS infection caused by VZV. Since 2000, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing has become more widely used, and the number of diagnosed cases of CNS infection has increased. Classic textbook descriptions state that VZV reactivation in the CNS is restricted to immunocompromised individuals and the elderly, however, recent studies have found that most patients are immunocompetent, and less than 60 years old. Old references cite vesicular rash as a characteristic finding, however, recent studies have found that rash is only present in 45% of cases.
Many have discussed the efficiently of the vaccine and some have gone as far as to refuse the vaccine.
The vaccine seems to highlight the profit motivations of the pharmaceutical industry by creating a vaccine against a childhood infection that is generally perceived as benign. since the vaccine’s approval in 1995, hospitalizations and deaths from the chickenpox have decreased “dramatically but no exact numbers have ever been shared. Now, studies are emerging that suggest that the chickenpox vaccine may do more harm than good, by increasing the population’s susceptibility to shingles, a related disease that carries far more potential for
complications.
A review published in the journal Vaccine focuses on the results of Antelope Valley Varicella Active Surveillance Project, conducted by Los Angeles Department of Health Services and funded by the CDC. The review is authored by a Research Analyst, Gary S. Goldman, PhD, who overlooked the project from 1995-2002. It is worth noting that Dr. Goldman later left the project when disagreements over publication of results surfaced.
First, varicella vaccination does not provide lifelong immunity like naturally occurring chickenpox infection. In 2001, varicella vaccine efficacy dropped below 80%, with more than 20% of people who had been vaccinated catching the disease. Therefore, in 2007, a booster shot was added to the vaccine schedule for children ages 4-6. It is possible that booster shots will be required throughout life in order to maintain immunity. Second, removing the natural exposure of chickenpox from the environment reduced natural immunity to shingles. Herpes Zoster, otherwise known as shingles is a virus closely related to chickenpox. Individuals who have previously had chickenpox are at risk for shingles.
Before the varicella vaccination program began (in 1995), 95% of the children falling in the age group of 12 months to 12 years experienced a natural chickenpox infection.
The varicella vaccination provides protection against a primary varicella infection and has reduced its incidence by 70-90%, but it has also eliminated lifelong immunity, and removed persistent exposure from the environment. As a result, vaccine efficacy has declined to less than 80% without boosters, and susceptibility to shingles has increased. Shingles is not only more expensive in terms of medical costs than chickenpox, but also has more chances of complications.
The universal varicella vaccination program has resulted in increasing shingles incidence; it is highly likely that if the trend continues deaths by shingles will multiply. Adults with shingles have a 20 times higher mortality rate than a child who naturally develops chickenpox. Not coincidentally, in 2007, the CDC recommended a shingles vaccination in adults above 60 years of age.
Many who participate in the vaccine controversy advocate vaccines as a benefit for “the herd.” That is, we vaccinate everyone so that the weakest will not be exposed to disease (the infants, immune compromised, and elderly). In this case, vaccination appears to be detrimental for “the herd” by increasing susceptibility to a more dangerous disease - shingles - in society at large. In addition, an individual is committed to a potential lifelong vaccine regimen in order
to maintain immunity.

By Brodie Potts