RT Journal
A1 Seward JF, Jumaan AO, Galil K, Wharton M
T1 VAricella vaccine and shingles—reply
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2002
FD May 1
VO 287
IS 17
SP 2211
OP 2212
DO 10.1001/jama.287.17.2209
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.287.17.2209
AB 
In Reply: We agree with Dr Brisson and colleagues
that surveillance for HZ is essential for evaluating the impact of the varicella
vaccination program. Because the population sizes in the varicella active
surveillance sites are not sufficient to monitor age-specific HZ incidence,
the CDC has funded 2 other sites—Massachusetts Department of Public
Health and Group Health Cooperative (GHC) in Seattle—to conduct population-based
varicella and HZ surveillance and monitor age-specific incidence rates. Massachusetts
has monitored incidence through a statewide telephone survey since 1998,1 while GHC is examining its automated medical records
since 1992. To date, no increase in HZ is evident in any age group in either
site (CDC, unpublished data, 2001).2 However,
continued surveillance is needed to detect any changes in HZ incidence.