Varicella zoster virus vaccination policies and surveillance strategies in Europe

Abstract

The incorporation of varicella zoster virus (ZVV) vaccination in childhood immunisation schedules is becoming an increasingly common option in Europe. The current study forms part of the European Sero-Epidemiology Network 2 (ESEN2) organisational analysis for VZV and describes current passive immunisation policies, as well as current and proposed active immunisation strategies, and existing surveillance systems for diseases caused by the varicella zoster virus in ESEN countries. A questionnaire was compiled and distributed to 23 participating countries. A VZV vaccine is currently licensed in 14 of the 20 participating ESEN countries. Germany is the only country to have incorporated VZV vaccination into its routine childhood immunisation programme. Three further countries currently recommend vaccination of children against VZV and five countries are also considering introducing routine immunisation against VZV for children. However, of the eight countries with or considering introducing childhood VZV immunisation, only six have case-based mandatory notification of varicella, and only two countries have primary care surveillance data available for herpes zoster.