Research

Program Description

Program Name: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) – Section 317 Immunization Program: Strengthening the Evidence Base Measuring Effectiveness of Two Doses of Varicella Vaccine – U01
Point of Contact: Caroline C. Johnson, MD
Amount Applied For: $150,000
Amount Awarded: $150,000

Why Apply for this Grant?

Philadelphia is one of two sentinel surveillance sites in US for varicella and varicella vaccine efficacy. This important study could only be conducted in Philadelphia and is key to guiding future CDC recommendations. Results have national impact on health policy decisions.

Program Objective

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will conduct a matched, case-control study to examine the incremental effectiveness of the 2-dose varicella vaccination regimen compared to the 1-dose regimen in preventing breakthrough varicella disease among school-aged children in Philadelphia. Secondary study objectives are to a) determine risk factors (demographic variables, underlying conditions, recent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) exposures, and time since vaccination) associated with varicella disease among 2- dose varicella vaccine recipients and b) determine the clinical presentation of breakthrough varicella in 2-dose compared with 1-dose varicella vaccine recipients.

Use of Funds

Funds will pay staff one staff person to conduct surveillance and epidemiologic analysis.

Jobs Created

1 (over 2 years)