Incidence of varicella and herpes zoster after inclusion of varicella vaccine in national immunization schedule in Turkey: time trend study

The aim of the study was to investigate changes in the incidences of Varicella and Herpes Zoster (HZ) following introduction of single dose Varicella vaccine (VV) in Turkey. Changes in the incidences of varicella and HZ per 100,000 population were compared with pre (2011-2012) and post-VV period (2018-2019) throughout years between years 2011 and 2019 both for children and adults. In children ≤5 years of age, the annual incidences of varicella significantly decreased from 290 per 100000 children in 2011 to 24 per 100000 children in 2019 [p = .0001]. Also, for children ≤5 years the mean annual incidence of varicella decreased significantly [326/100000 ±51/100000 vs 23/100000 ± 1/100000; p = .014] between pre- and post-VV period. Moreover, the annual incidences of varicella significantly decreased from 43 per 100000 children in 2011 to 26 per 100000 children in 2019 in children age between 6 and 17 years. On the other hand, incidence of varicella in adult population (age >17 years) did not change significantly. Besides, the annual incidences of Herpes Zoster did not change significantly in children age stratas but significant increment observed in adult population. This increment was significant in adult age strata of 18-44 years, but non-significant in age strata of 45-64 years and >64 years. Thus, our study showed a significant reduction in the incidences of Varicella in children age stratas whereas significant increment in the incidence of HZ in adult population after the implementation of VV into the NIP of Turkey.