The effect of varicella vaccination on the average age of infection

The epidemiology of infectious diseases in children has changed over the past few decades. After isolation of the viruses that cause polio, measles, mumps, and rubella, vaccines became available, with resultant changes in the epidemiology of these diseases. Varicella, or chickenpox, is one infectious disease that remains uncontrolled by a vaccination program in the United States. It is expected that children will soon be routinely vaccinated against varicella. This paper will look at the effect the varicella vaccination program will have on the average age of infection and the change in the number of cases in high-risk age classes.