Abstract
BackgroundIn recent years, outbreaks of varicella have continued to occur, and the coverage rate of varicella vaccine in Jiangsu Province, China, remains unclear. This study aims to analyse the levels of immune antibody against varicella and obtain a comprehensive understanding of the varicella attenuated live vaccine (VarV) coverage rate in children aged 1–9 years in Jiangsu Province.MethodsFrom June to October 2016, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect 3631 serum samples from healthy children aged 1–9 years in Jiangsu Province. The immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels of varicella were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsThe VarV coverage rate of healthy children was only 43.1% (95% CI: 41.1–44.7%). The seroprevalence after vaccination with a single dose of VarV was only 57.1%, and the overall seropositivity and geometric antibody titre (GMC) were 43.5% and 225.4 mU/ml, respectively. The seropositivity was significantly higher in girls than in boys (χ2 = 18.82, P < 0.001). The difference in seropositivity between the 5–9 age group and 1–4 age group was statistically significant (χ2 = 84.31, P < 0.001). The difference in seropositivity between different regions was statistically significant, with the highest seropositivity in the northern area, 53.7% (χ2 = 35.64, P < 0.001). The seropositivity in the group receiving one dose of VarV was significantly higher than that of the unvaccinated group (χ2 = 205.16, P < 0.001). Linear regression analysis suggested that the GMC of varicella antibodies wanes with the time since vaccination (F = 65.01, P = 0.002).ConclusionThe VarV coverage rate of healthy children in Jiangsu Province was low. Sero-conversion rates were also low after one dose of VarV, and the immune effectiveness of a single dose of VarV was limited. To control the spread of varicella, VarV should be included in the routine immunization program, and strengthened immunization measures for the varicella-susceptible population warrant additional consideration.
Highlights
In recent years, outbreaks of varicella have continued to occur, and the coverage rate of varicella vaccine in Jiangsu Province, China, remains unclear
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the vaccination coverage rate of children’s varicella attenuated live vaccine (VarV) in Jiangsu Province and to describe the profile of immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels of varicella antibodies among children, a sero-survey of varicella was conducted in healthy children in Jiangsu Province, China
1563 children had a history of VarV vaccination, resulting in a vaccination coverage rate of 43.1%
Summary
Outbreaks of varicella have continued to occur, and the coverage rate of varicella vaccine in Jiangsu Province, China, remains unclear. This study aims to analyse the levels of immune antibody against varicella and obtain a comprehensive understanding of the varicella attenuated live vaccine (VarV) coverage rate in children aged 1–9 years in Jiangsu Province. Outbreaks of varicella have continued to occur, and breakthrough cases of varicella have received increasing attention and are becoming a serious public health problem [6]. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the vaccination coverage rate of children’s VarV in Jiangsu Province and to describe the profile of immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels of varicella antibodies among children, a sero-survey of varicella was conducted in healthy children in Jiangsu Province, China
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
