Seroprevalence of antibodies against varicella zoster virus across all age groups during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period in Chonburi Province, Thailand

As of 2024, Thailand has not incorporated the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccine into the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). This study aimed to evaluate VZV seroprevalence across all age groups in Chonburi Province, Thailand, during the post-COVID-19 era, and to support the development of a...

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Main Authors: Thanunrat Thongmee, Jira Chansaenroj, Sirapa Klinfueng, Ratchadawan Aeemjinda, Nasamon Wanlapakorn, Yong Poovorawan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21645515.2024.2367283
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author Thanunrat Thongmee
Jira Chansaenroj
Sirapa Klinfueng
Ratchadawan Aeemjinda
Nasamon Wanlapakorn
Yong Poovorawan
author_facet Thanunrat Thongmee
Jira Chansaenroj
Sirapa Klinfueng
Ratchadawan Aeemjinda
Nasamon Wanlapakorn
Yong Poovorawan
author_sort Thanunrat Thongmee
collection DOAJ
description As of 2024, Thailand has not incorporated the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccine into the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). This study aimed to evaluate VZV seroprevalence across all age groups in Chonburi Province, Thailand, during the post-COVID-19 era, and to support the development of a vaccination plan against VZV. A total of 950 participants were enrolled from October 2022 to January 2023. VZV antibody levels were measured using ELISA kits (EUROIMMUN, Lübeck, Germany), with seropositivity set at ≥110 IU/L. The overall VZV seropositivity rate was 64.8%, similar to rates in 1994 and 2014. However, seropositivity rates for the 5–9, 10–14, and 15–19 age groups were significantly higher in the 1994 study, and for the 10–14 and 15–19 age groups in the 2014 study, indicating a declining trend among young Thai individuals. The seropositivity rate increased with age, with a seroprevalence exceeding 80% in individuals aged 30 years and older. Our study found a significant association between the history of varicella and seropositivity. Thus, a positive history may indicate immunity. In conclusion, a significant portion of Thai adolescents are still vulnerable to varicella, highlighting the crucial role of vaccination in averting serious illness.
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spelling doaj-art-93a6e17f62bc4bb0aba1caaee830a1e52025-08-20T03:22:20ZengTaylor & Francis GroupHuman Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics2164-55152164-554X2024-12-0120110.1080/21645515.2024.2367283Seroprevalence of antibodies against varicella zoster virus across all age groups during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period in Chonburi Province, ThailandThanunrat Thongmee0Jira Chansaenroj1Sirapa Klinfueng2Ratchadawan Aeemjinda3Nasamon Wanlapakorn4Yong Poovorawan5Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandCenter of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandCenter of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandCenter of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandCenter of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandCenter of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandAs of 2024, Thailand has not incorporated the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccine into the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). This study aimed to evaluate VZV seroprevalence across all age groups in Chonburi Province, Thailand, during the post-COVID-19 era, and to support the development of a vaccination plan against VZV. A total of 950 participants were enrolled from October 2022 to January 2023. VZV antibody levels were measured using ELISA kits (EUROIMMUN, Lübeck, Germany), with seropositivity set at ≥110 IU/L. The overall VZV seropositivity rate was 64.8%, similar to rates in 1994 and 2014. However, seropositivity rates for the 5–9, 10–14, and 15–19 age groups were significantly higher in the 1994 study, and for the 10–14 and 15–19 age groups in the 2014 study, indicating a declining trend among young Thai individuals. The seropositivity rate increased with age, with a seroprevalence exceeding 80% in individuals aged 30 years and older. Our study found a significant association between the history of varicella and seropositivity. Thus, a positive history may indicate immunity. In conclusion, a significant portion of Thai adolescents are still vulnerable to varicella, highlighting the crucial role of vaccination in averting serious illness.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21645515.2024.2367283Seroprevalencevaricella zoster viruspopulation
spellingShingle Thanunrat Thongmee
Jira Chansaenroj
Sirapa Klinfueng
Ratchadawan Aeemjinda
Nasamon Wanlapakorn
Yong Poovorawan
Seroprevalence of antibodies against varicella zoster virus across all age groups during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period in Chonburi Province, Thailand
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
Seroprevalence
varicella zoster virus
population
title Seroprevalence of antibodies against varicella zoster virus across all age groups during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period in Chonburi Province, Thailand
title_full Seroprevalence of antibodies against varicella zoster virus across all age groups during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period in Chonburi Province, Thailand
title_fullStr Seroprevalence of antibodies against varicella zoster virus across all age groups during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period in Chonburi Province, Thailand
title_full_unstemmed Seroprevalence of antibodies against varicella zoster virus across all age groups during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period in Chonburi Province, Thailand
title_short Seroprevalence of antibodies against varicella zoster virus across all age groups during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period in Chonburi Province, Thailand
title_sort seroprevalence of antibodies against varicella zoster virus across all age groups during the post covid 19 pandemic period in chonburi province thailand
topic Seroprevalence
varicella zoster virus
population
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21645515.2024.2367283
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