SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY OF VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS INFECTION IN ALBANIA

To date, there is no universal varicella vaccination in Albania. A seroprevalence study of varicella zoster virus (VZV) was conducted in 2010-2012 among children 0-15 years of age, to assess the patterns of the epidemiology of varicella in the Albanian population. The acquisition of antibodies to VZV in population of Albania (Vlora Region) occurs during childhood and adolescence. Over 39% of children 5 years of age had antibodies to VZV. There is observed a 3-4 fold increase of the VZV sero-positivity among children 4-5 years of age as compared to children 1-3 years of age. Around 58% of children 10 years of age had antibodies to VZV. The VZV seropositivity reaches the level 75% among adolescents of 15 years of age. Given the relative lower rate of varicella transmission in Albania, the introduction of VZV universal coverage in Albania, will require an adolescent catch-up campaign. Despite the high rate of childhood vaccine coverage, the acceptance of VZV vaccine, especially the adolescent catch-up dose, has to be addressed through a specific strategy.