Viruses, Vol. 15, Pages 2163: The Epidemiology of Chickenpox in England, 2016 & ndash;2022: An Observational Study Using General Practitioner Consultations
Viruses, Vol. 15, Pages 2163: The Epidemiology of Chickenpox in England, 2016–2022: An Observational Study Using General Practitioner Consultations
Viruses doi: 10.3390/v15112163
Authors:
Megan Bardsley
Paul Loveridge
Natalia G. Bednarska
Sue Smith
Roger A. Morbey
Gayatri Amirthalingam
William H. Elson
Chris Bates
Simon de Lusignan
Daniel Todkill
Alex J. Elliot
Chickenpox is a common childhood disease caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV). VZV vaccination is not part of the UK childhood immunisation programme, but its potential inclusion is regularly assessed. It is therefore important to understand the ongoing burden of VZV in the community to inform vaccine policy decisions. General practitioner (GP) chickenpox consultations were studied from 1 September 2016 to 9 December 2022. Over the study period, the mean weekly chickenpox consultation rate per 100,000 population in England was 3.4, with a regular peak occurring between weeks 13 and 15. Overall, rates decreased over time, from a mean weekly rate of 5.5 in 2017 to 4.2 in 2019. The highest mean weekly rates were among children aged 1–4 years. There was no typical epidemic peak during the COVID-19 pandemic, but in 2022, rates were proportionally higher among children aged <1 year old compared to pre-pandemic years. Chickenpox GP consultation rates decreased in England, continuing a longer-term decline in the community. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted rates, li...
Source: Viruses - Category: Virology Authors: Megan Bardsley Paul Loveridge Natalia G. Bednarska Sue Smith Roger A. Morbey Gayatri Amirthalingam William H. Elson Chris Bates Simon de Lusignan Daniel Todkill Alex J. Elliot Tags: Article Source Type: research
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