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Varicella vaccine, also known as chickenpox vaccine, is a vaccine that protects against chickenpox. [9] One dose of vaccine prevents 95% of moderate disease and 100% of severe disease. [ 10 ] Two doses of vaccine are more effective than one. [ 10 ]
A live attenuated varicella vaccine, the Oka strain, was developed by Michiaki Takahashi and his colleagues in Japan in the early 1970s. [41] In 1995, Merck & Co. licensed the "Oka" strain of the varicella virus in the United States, and Maurice Hilleman's team at Merck invented a varicella vaccine in the same year. [42] [43] [44]
Varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, is a highly contagious disease that is very uncomfortable and sometimes serious. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Before the vaccine, about 4 million people in the United States would develop chickenpox annually.
A zoster vaccine is a vaccine that reduces the incidence of herpes zoster (shingles), a disease caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox. [8] Shingles provokes a painful rash with blisters, and can be followed by chronic pain ( postherpetic neuralgia ), as well as other complications.
Chickenpox-like rashes were recognized and described by ancient civilizations; the relationship between zoster and chickenpox was not realized until 1888. [29] In 1943, the similarity between virus particles isolated from the lesions of zoster and those from chickenpox was noted. [30] In 1974 the first chickenpox vaccine was introduced. [31]
The MMRV vaccine, a combined MMR and varicella vaccine, simplifies administration of the vaccines. [14] One 2008 study indicated a rate of febrile seizures of 9 per 10,000 vaccinations with MMRV, as opposed to 4 per 10,000 for separate MMR and varicella shots; U.S. health officials known as the ACIP therefore do not express a preference for use of MMRV vaccine over separate injections.
Varicella zoster virus is not the same as herpes simplex virus, although they both belong to the alpha subfamily of herpesviruses. [14] Shingles vaccines reduce the risk of shingles by 50 to 90%, depending on the vaccine used. [1] [15] Vaccination also decreases rates of postherpetic neuralgia, and, if shingles occurs, its severity. [1]
Michiaki Takahashi (高橋 理明, Takahashi Michiaki, February 17, 1928 – December 16, 2013) was a Japanese virologist, best known for inventing the first chickenpox vaccine. He developed the "Oka" vaccine by producing v-Oka, a live-attenuated virus strain of varicella zoster virus. [1]