Varicella Vaccination (Essay Sample)

Varicella Vaccination
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Varicella Vaccination
Japan developed varicella vaccine that contains Oka strain or live attenuated virus in the 1970s. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the vaccine in 1995 to be used for persons aged between one year and 12 years. Many countries have approved the use of the vaccine. However, there are numerous questions raised regarding the effectiveness of varicella vaccine. The proponents argue that the vaccine’s positive effects are longer and the success rate is higher while the critics highlight the side effects, breakthrough infection, and the mildness of chickenpox, rendering the vaccine unnecessary as the reasons for opposing the use of the vaccine.
Clinically proven Facts about Administration of Varicella Vaccine
The duration of effectiveness of any vaccine is critical in determining the efficacy of any newly introduced vaccine. Initially, available data showed the vaccine’s shorter-term effectiveness of up to two years after vaccination and three years in immunocompromised children (Vasquez et al., 2001). However, later studies showed antibody protective concentrations in vaccinated persons in Japan persisted for more than two decades. Therefore, varicella vaccine may have a lifetime immunization effect on the vaccinated children.
Besides the long-term persistence of varicella vaccine, its administration has a higher success rate. Cenoz et al. (2013) estimated the vaccine’s effectiveness of single and double doses at 87 percent and 97 percent, respectively. The study demonstrated that the second dose increased the vaccine success rate with respect to the initial dose. The immunity of the initial dose wans after three years of administration. Therefore, administration of the second dose is necessary to boost immunity to a longer time.
The higher success rate of varicella vaccine has reduced the number of reported cases and hospitalizations. According to Wang, Zhu, and Zhu (2016), routine childhood vaccination has significantly reduced chickenpox incidence rate in the U.S. The varicella immunization may provide protection against 85 percent and 95 percent of chickenpox and severe secondary infection cases, respectively. Before introduction of varicella vaccination in 1995, the U.S. reported four million chickenpox incidences annually, resulting in 11,000 hospitalizations and 100 deaths. However, universal vaccination has markedly reduced such incidences in many countries, including Japan, Korea, and the U.S.
Counterpoints
Despite the reported success rates of varicella vaccination, critics point out perceived shortcomings of the vaccine. For instance, Arnheim-Dahlstrom et al. (2021) report a study where participants noted that the perceived mildness of chickenpox does not require immunizations and fear of side effects as the main reasons for declining vaccine administration. However, as aforementioned, chickenpox led to significant hospital admissions and deaths in the U.S. before approval of the vaccine in 1995. Thus, the condition should not be treated as mild. Moreover, the side effects are minimal. Papaloukas, Giannouli, and Papaevangelou (2014) report a mere 20 percent developing mild pain, 15 percent suffering from fever, and up to 5 percent presenting vesicular rash. Thus, serious complications are hardly reported.
Critics have also highlighted the plight of breakthrough infection affecting immunized children. Studies indicate that some countries reported chickenpox outbreaks due to breakthrough infection after a single dose (Papaloukas et al., 2014). To address such a shortcoming, the ACIP and CDC recommended administration of two doses, and this has increased overall effectiveness to 85 percent. A second dose triggers a strong anamnestic response in persons partially protected by a single dose, thus increasing cellular and humoral immunity. The need to administer a second dose has tremendously decreased breakthrough disease incidences.
Conclusion
Varicella vaccination has received support and resistance in equal measure. The administration of the