Determining the rate of varicella vaccine rash in children with moderate-severe eczema

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the rate and severity of vesicular reactions following varicella vaccine in children with moderate-severe eczema. Secondary endpoints included the rates and severity of local reactions and eczema severity change within 42 days of vaccination.

Methods: Prospective open intervention pilot study of varicella vaccine in children aged 12 months to 13 years with moderate-severe eczema. Children were given varicella vaccine alone and followed for 42 days after vaccination.

Results: Fifty children, aged 12 months to 10.5 years were recruited, with complete follow-up for 48. A vesicular rash with a single lesion occurred in one child (2.1% (95% CI: 0, 11.1%)), 10 days following vaccination. Local reactions, including erythema, swelling and tenderness, were reported in eight children (16.7%). A flare-up of moderate-severe generalized eczema was reported in one child (2.1%) during the first week following varicella vaccine.

Conclusions: Vesicular rash and local reactions following varicella vaccination were no more common or severe in children with moderate-severe eczema than that reported in the published literature in children without eczema. Eczema in the 42 days following vaccination did not appear to increase in severity.