Herpes tester (HZ) is one of the most common complications after bone
marrow transplantation (BMT) in children, Apart from treatment with an
tiviral drugs, effective prevention by active immunization with varice
lla-zoster virus (VZV) appears to be possible, In this study 15 patien
ts were vaccinated with a live attenuated VZV vaccine (Varilrix) 12-23
months after BMT. The vaccine was well tolerated without adverse reac
tions, Chickenpox or HZ were not observed for up to 2 years after immu
nization, Eight out of nine seronegative patients seroconverted and in
six virus-specific IgG could still be demonstrated 2 years later, The
incidence of VZV diseases in 133 non-immunized children after BMT was
26.3%, Infections usually occurred within 18 months after BMT.