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December 27, 2002
U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Chickenpox Vaccine Works, But How Well?"
St. Petersburg Times (FL) (www.sptimes.com) (12/26/02) P. 1A; Allison, Wes
A 70 percent to 90 percent efficacy rate has been observed in studies of the varicella vaccine. A recent study found that a majority of the children who contracted the illness at a New Hampshire daycare center had been vaccinated against chickenpox; vaccinated children do develop less severe cases of chickenpox, however. Health experts are now trying to determine whether they should emulate measles guidelines by initiating a booster shot. They are unsure about the booster because the vaccine is relatively new, and information is still being gathered about its effectiveness in different dosages and regimens.
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