ACIP Recommends Standalone Chickenpox Vaccination in Toddlers

Strategic Insights -

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has voted to adopt a new recommendation for the child immunization schedule, recommending that toddlers through age three be immunized for varicella (chickenpox) through standalone vaccination rather than through the combination measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine. This decision was made after the CDC Immunization Safety Office presented data showing that healthy 12-23 months old toddlers have an increased risk of febrile seizure after receiving the MMRV vaccine compared to separate immunizations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ACIP recommends standalone chickenpox vaccination in toddlers through age three.
  • The CDC's Immunization Safety Office found that healthy 12-23 months old toddlers have an increased risk of febrile seizure after receiving the MMRV vaccine compared to separate immunizations.
  • The excess risk from MMRV accounts for approximately five more febrile seizures per 10,000 doses, without conferring additional protection from varicella.
  • MMRV prelicensure studies conducted among the same age group found that fever and measles-like rash were reported at significantly greater rate among children receiving the first dose of the MMRV vaccine than children receiving first doses of the MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine during the same visit.
  • The HHS will examine all insurance coverage implications following today's ACIP recommendation.

Statistics:

  • 8-3 vote by the ACIP to recommend standalone chickenpox vaccination in toddlers through age three.
  • 5 more febrile seizures per 10,000 doses attributed to the MMRV vaccine.
  • 7-10 days: the timeframe in which healthy 12-23 months old toddlers are at increased risk of febrile seizure after receiving the MMRV vaccine.
  • Friday, September 19: the date on which the ACIP will reconvene to consider an anticipated vote on Hepatitis B vaccines.

Sources:

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2017, September 18). ACIP Adopts New Recommendation for Child Immunization Schedule. Contify.com.