Chickenpox In Ghana; Is It Time To Consider Universal Immunization?

Abstract

Chickenpox is a very common disease worldwide. It is one of the most frequently reported infectious diseases in North America. Although childhood varicella disease is not usually a life-threatening condition, it can cause major financial and social problems to parents and society from lost working time spent looking after sick children. Besides, there is a large number of unrecognized complications including fatalities from invasive infections. The availability of an effective vaccine, has made universal immunization a cost-effective approach to prevention and minimizing the effects of the disease in some settings. The exact burden of the disease in Ghana and for that matter most of Africa is unknown. Thus, in Ghana, a surveillance system and selective immunization is recommended as more information is gathered on the burden of disease and its impact on Ghana and the rest of Africa.