Varicella Outbreak Among Schoolchildren in Taipei
Author Information
Author(s): Lai Chao-Chih, Chen Szu-Ching, Jiang Donald Dah-Shyong
Primary Institution: Taipei City Hospital, Ren-Ai Branch
Hypothesis
What is the varicella vaccine coverage and effectiveness among schoolchildren during an outbreak?
Conclusion
Low vaccination coverage continues to lead to varicella outbreaks in Taipei.
Supporting Evidence
- 71.2% of the students were vaccinated against varicella.
- Attending cram school was associated with a higher risk of developing varicella.
- Vaccine effectiveness against moderate or severe varicella was 85.5%.
Takeaway
Some kids got sick with chickenpox even though they were vaccinated, and many didn't get the vaccine at all, which is why the sickness spread.
Methodology
A retrospective cohort study using self-administered questionnaires for parents.
Potential Biases
Potential over-reporting of vaccination status due to reliance on self-reported data.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported vaccination status, which may overestimate true vaccination coverage.
Participant Demographics
The mean age of participants was 9.1 years, with a mix of boys and girls.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.370
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 0.864, 0.935
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website