Varicella Vaccination of Children With Leukemia Without Interruption of Maintenance Therapy: A Danish Experience

Lotte Møller Smedegaard, Anja Poulsen, Ines Ackerl Kristensen, Susanne Rosthøj, Kjeld Schmiegelow, Ulrikka Nygaard

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can be fatal or cause severe complications in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This analysis set out to investigate the morbidity and mortality of VZV vaccination without interruption of maintenance therapy in children with ALL. Methods: Files of 73 seronegative children with ALL were examined for data regarding VZV vaccination and infection, and long-term seroconversion was measured. Criteria before VZV vaccination were (1) seronegative, (2) in complete remission, (3) age >= 1.0 year, (4) lymphocyte count >= 0.6 × 109/L at time of vaccination and (5) receiving maintenance therapy. Results: Forty-five children were vaccinated. No child died or experienced serious adverse events due to VZV vaccination. Nine children developed late chickenpox despite vaccination. Long-term protection was found in 86% of children not receiving acyclovir and 78% of the entire population. Long-term seroconversion was found in 52% of the children. There were no severe cases of varicella infection. Acyclovir prophylaxis postvaccination was associated with an increased risk of late chickenpox [hazard ratio = 5.40 (1.43, 20.41), P = 0.01]. In contrast, a vaccine-induced rash reduced the risk of late chickenpox [hazard ratio = 0.08 (0.01, 0.66), P = 0.02]. No child had interruption of maintenance therapy at the time of vaccination, but 33% experienced discontinuation of therapy due to vaccine-induced rash. Dexamethasone was associated with an increased risk of vaccine-induced rash [hazard ratio = 2.9 (1.21, 6.90), P = 0.02]. Conclusions: This analysis indicates that VZV vaccination is feasible and justified in seronegative children with ALL, in countries where VZV vaccination is not part of the national vaccination program.
Original languageEnglish
JournalThe Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Volume35
Issue number11
Pages (from-to)e348-e352
Number of pages5
ISSN0891-3668
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2016

Keywords

  • varicella zoster virus
  • vaccination
  • pediatrics
  • acute lymphoblastic leukemia
  • childhood leukemia

Cite this