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The two dose vaccination implemented in 2006 seems to have seen success as the rate of chickenpox cases keep declining due to the population’s proper immunization. It’s an infectious disease that typically affects children, causing the infamous blister-like rashes that are very itchy, fever and fatigue.
Before 1995 when the one-dose vaccination against chickenpox was implemented, around 4 million people were diagnosed with chickenpox each year in the United States. It led to 11,000 yearly hospitalizations and between 100 and 150 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
However, the numbers have rapidly gone down once the one-dose vaccination was recommended in 1995 and had seen an even better improvement since 2006, when doctors recommended a second dose in order to boost the body’s immunity against the highly infectious disease.
By analyzing the data gathered from national health insurance claims, the CDC observed that the cases of chickenpox have decreased significantly since 1995 by 2012, since there was an excellent 93% drop in hospitalizations and 84% drop in outpatient visits.
The largest decrease seems to have occurred among people between the ages of 0 and 19, those more often targeted for varicella vaccination, but the statistics have improved for others as well. Due to what is called “herd immunity” it has been observed that the vaccinations against chickenpox have proven excellent against prevent further spreading and the possibility of more outbreaks.
Adults who don’t tend to get vaccinated anymore and children of less than one year old, who are not recommended the vaccine just yet, have been much better protected because of the growing number of injections against the infectious disease and has prevented it from reaching those vulnerable to its effects.
It paints quite the picture on the importance of proper health care and adds another point for those who are pro-vaccination being both recommended and mandatory. It does not only protect your child, but everyone else as well, such as others who are not immunized from the disease.
After 16 years, rates continue to decline and it will hopefully carry on with sparing both children and adults from being infected with chickenpox. It has been proven to be more severe in adults who have not been previously vaccinated, so it should stand to their attention when news spreads out about another outbreak.
Image source: patch.com
