MMR jab 'needs chickenpox'
MMR vaccine should be altered to include chickenpox, UK scientists claim
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Thursday, 08, Nov 2007 08:15
The MMR vaccine should be adapted to protect children against chickenpox, British researchers have urged.
Scientists from the University of Bristol say that the expansion of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination is the "only realistic way" of preventing the deaths and severe complications associated with chickenpox.
At present only healthcare workers and those at a risk of passing on the infection are routinely immunised against it, despite the launch of vaccination programmes for children in the US, Canada, Australia and Finland.
Data from the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood shows that of 188 cases reported between 2002 and 2002, 112 children met the criteria, giving a case rate of 0.82 per 100,000.
The average age of affected children was three, with the most common ailments including septic shock, pneumonia, encephalitis, uncoordinated movement (ataxia), toxic shock syndrome and the flesh-eating bacterial infection necrotising fasciitis.
The researchers write that most of the children were healthy before they contracted the virus, and claim universal immunisation "could have prevented their complications".
But the report's authors admit that "unfounded fears" about MMR could prevent the rollout of the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) jab.
An accompanying editorial states: "Chickenpox has traditionally been viewed as an irritating but inevitable infection to be endured during childhood, a rite of passage during the preschool years.
"This benign view persists despite evidence that certain groups, including neonates, adults, pregnant women, and the immuno-compromised have higher risks of severe disease."
On the switch to an MMRV immunisation programme the editorial adds: "This could prevent cases of severe disease in adults and pregnant women and raise public awareness of the potential and desirability of primary prevention."