Immunity to chickenpox among school adolescents in Lebanon and options for vaccination

Epidemiol Infect. 2002 Dec;129(3):607-15. doi: 10.1017/s0950268802007938.

Abstract

Varicella infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality in adolescents and adults. The primary infection, chickenpox, results in lifelong immunity to chickenpox. A seroprevalence study carried on adolescents 15-18 years of age attending schools in Lebanon showed 96.6% immunity to varicella. The positive predictive value for immunity to chickenpox based on history alone was 97.4%, whereas the negative predictive value was 4.5%. Coming from a bigger family was a statistically significant predictor of immunity to chickenpox. In a developing country like Lebanon the merits and limitations of implementing universal varicella vaccination is discussed in relation to seroprevalence and socioeconomic factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Chickenpox / epidemiology
  • Chickenpox / immunology*
  • Chickenpox / prevention & control
  • Chickenpox Vaccine / administration & dosage*
  • Chickenpox Vaccine / economics
  • Chickenpox Vaccine / immunology
  • Developing Countries*
  • Family Characteristics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lebanon
  • Male
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Social Class

Substances

  • Chickenpox Vaccine