Objective: To evaluate the effect of outbreaks control in school settings after a 2 dose varicella vaccine immunization strategy implemented in Beijing.
Methods: Epidemiological data of varicella outbreaks in school and kindergarten settings, which were reported by all 16 districts (county) during 2007-2013 according to the technical management norms of Beijing, was collected. The first dose and second dose varicella vaccine coverage rate of eligible children after the 2 dose varicella vaccine immunization strategy implementation were estimated through BJIIMS. Based on above we analyzed the changes of outbreak quantity, case quantity and the distribution characteristics between the pre-adjustment era (2007-2011 years) and late adjustment era (2013) of the 2 dose immunization strategy.
Results: In pre-adjustment era (2007-2011 years), an average of 74 (95% CI: 60-89) outbreaks was reported and 964 (95% CI: 812-1 116) cases were involved per year. In late adjustment era (2013): Outbreaks (35) declined 52.7%, involved cases (371) declined 61.5%; Outbreaks epidemic duration shortened from 22 days of pre-adjustment era to 18 days; Outbreaks involved 10-24 cases declined 64.7% (from 34 to 12); Outbreaks involved ≥ 25 cases declined 71.4% (from 7 to 2); Outbreaks of different school type as well as different regions without exception declined dramatically. Cumulative one-dose vaccine coverage in children of 2-6 yr of age was 89.6% (812 859/907 579), and cumulative second-dose vaccine coverage in children of 4-7 yr of age was 44.3% (289 764/647 732).
Conclusion: Implementation of a 2 dose varicella vaccine immunization strategy effectively controlled outbreaks in school and kindergarten settings.