COMPLICATIONS OF VARICELLA AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF ROUTINE CHILDHOOD VARICELLA VACCINATION IN GERMANY

Abstract: A country-wide sentinel surveillance system was initiated in Germany after implementation of routine varicella vaccination of children >11 months. Sentinel physicians report monthly the number of cases and of severe varicella complications (VC). Case-based questionnaires are completed for VC. We evaluated trend and clinical features of reported VC from April 2005 to March 2009. Reported VC decreased by 81%.