Abstract
A safety and immunogenicity study of the Oka/Merck live attenuated varicella vaccine was conducted among 51 healthy children 12-24 months, with a negative clinical history of varicella. Parents maintained a detailed medical diary for 6 weeks following immunization, and all children with fever or rash were seen by a physician. 11 children had fever > 38 C during the 6 week follow-up period, including 3 children with documented bacterial infections. 3 children in the 1st week and 6 in the 3rd-4th week developed non-specific maculopapular rashes. Only one child had swelling and pain at the injection site.
Pre-immunization and 6 week post-immunization sera were titered simultaneously by an indirect fluorescent antibody test which detects antibody to membrane antigen (modified FAMA). 48 of 51 children (94.1%) demonstrated sero-conversion with a ≥ 4 fold rise in antibody titer. Sero-conversion was less in 12-15 month old infants (14/16, 87.5%) than in 15-24 month old infants (34/35, 97.1%). Geometric mean titers (expressed as the reciprocal of the mean) were not related to age: 12-15 months, 57.4 (n = 14); 15-18 months, 35.3 (n= 8); 18-21 months, 43.9 (n = 11), and 21-24 months, 44.5 (n = 15). Oka/Merck varicella vaccine appears safe and immunogenic in children 12-24 months. Further study is indicated to determine the optimal age for vaccination.
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Johnson, C., Shurin, P., Marcnant, C. et al. 1116 LIVE ATTENUATED VARICELLA VACCINE IN HEALTHY 12–24 MONTH-OLD CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 19, 296 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01146
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01146