Effectiveness of varicella vaccine during a varicella outbreak in a Chinese senior high school: a retrospective cohort study - Report - MDSpire

Assessment of Varicella Vaccine Efficacy Amidst an Outbreak in a Chinese High School: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

  • By

  • Nani Xu

  • Liting Wu

  • Xuan Deng

  • Xin Shu

  • Yejing Yang

  • Pan Qin

  • Kailuo Zhong

  • Shenyu Wang

  • Xiaowei Hu

  • July 21, 2026

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Clinical Report: Assessment of Varicella Vaccine Efficacy Amidst an Outbreak

Overview

This study evaluates the vaccine effectiveness of single-dose and two-dose varicella vaccines among senior high school students during a varicella outbreak in China.

Background

Varicella, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is a highly contagious disease that can lead to severe complications. Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure, yet single-dose vaccination has shown declining effectiveness over time. Understanding the efficacy of different vaccination strategies is crucial for controlling outbreaks, particularly in school settings.

Data Highlights

GroupAttack RateVaccine Effectiveness (VE)
Unvaccinated--
1-Dose6.29%32.14% (−54.37%-70.17%)
2-Dose6.29%94.74% (88.62%-97.57%)

Key Findings

  • The overall varicella attack rate among students was 6.29%.
  • Single-dose varicella vaccine coverage was 28.24%, while two-dose coverage was 66.23%.
  • Vaccine effectiveness for 1-dose recipients was 32.14%, compared to 94.74% for 2-dose recipients.
  • Post-exposure vaccination showed a VE of 90.15% among unvaccinated students.
  • Male students had a higher risk of varicella infection compared to female students.

Clinical Implications

The findings indicate that timely post-exposure vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of infection among unvaccinated individuals.

Conclusion

The study provides insights into the effectiveness of single-dose and two-dose varicella vaccination regimens during an outbreak.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 2021 -- Evaluation of Measles Immunity Levels in Hunan, China: A Serological Study
  2. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 2021 -- Assessment of the Effectiveness of Three Acellular Pertussis Vaccines in Children Aged 3 Months to 16 Years in Lu’an, China: A Matched Case-Control Analysis
  3. Drug Safety, 2015 -- Analyzing Hospitalization Rates for Febrile Convulsions and Severe Chickenpox with Combined MMRV Vaccine Compared to Separate MMR and Varicella Vaccinations
  4. WHO position paper on varicella vaccines – November 2025
  5. CDC -- Chapter 17: Varicella | Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
  6. The Journal of Infectious Diseases — Influenza Vaccination Effectiveness Against Influenza-Associated Hospitalization in Children and the Effects of Repeated Vaccination
  7. Real-world effectiveness of varicella vaccination in Guangzhou, China, 2017–2022
  8. The Impact and Effectiveness of a Two-Dose Varicella Immunization Program Among School Children
  9. WHO position paper on varicella vaccines – November 2025
  10. Chapter 17: Varicella | Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases | CDC
  11. J Korean Med Sci. 2025 Nov 17;40(44):e286
  12. Vaccine Effectiveness and Clinical Characteristics of Breakthrough Varicella During Outbreaks Among Students in Qingdao, China - PubMed

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