The Epidemiology of Herpes Zoster in the United States During the Era of Varicella and Herpes Zoster Vaccines: Changing Patterns Among Children

Abstract

Varicella vaccination can have complex direct and indirect influences on the epidemiology of herpes zoster among children. We evaluated pediatric herpes zoster trends using administrative databases. The incidence has declined in a step-wise pattern since the varicella vaccination program's introduction, suggesting that rates may eventually decline in the entire population.

Keywords: chicken pox; shingles; varicella; zoster.