Two case reports of life-threatening breakthrough varicella occurring despite vaccination prior to cancer diagnosis, with one resulting in death.

PMID: 

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2015 Sep ;34(9):1027-9. PMID: 25955833

Abstract Title: 

Failure of a Single Varicella Vaccination to Protect Children With Cancer From Life-Threatening Breakthrough Varicella.

Abstract: 

We report 2 children with life-threatening breakthrough varicella. Both had received 1 varicella vaccination before onset of cancer. Despite treatment with intravenous acyclovir, 1 child died of disseminated varicella. Because similar fatal cases have been reported, high-risk immunocompromised children with 1 varicella vaccination may warrant the same varicella prophylaxis as immunocompromised children who have never been vaccinated.

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