Chickenpox continues to decline in US thanks to vaccination

(Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society) According to national health care claims data from 1994-2012, CDC researchers Jessica Leung, M.P.H., and Rafael Harpaz, M.D., M.P.H. found that there were 93 percent fewer hospitalizations for chickenpox in 2012 compared to before the vaccine was introduced. During the two-dose varicella vaccination period (2006-2012), hospitalizations declined 38 percent. Outpatient visits also dropped significantly. There were 84 percent fewer outpatient visits in 2012 versus the pre-vaccination period. During the two-dose varicella vaccination period (2006-2012), outpatient visits declined 60 percent.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news