Armenia to introduce chickenpox vaccination in 2024

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YEREVAN, August 21. /ARKA/. Starting in 2024, Armenia plans to introduce a chickenpox vaccine, according to Stepan Atoyan, Director of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention under the Ministry of Health./pp

The vaccine rollout will be phased, initially targeting children aged one and those of pre-conscription age. By 2027, vaccination will be integrated into the National Immunization Calendar for children aged 1 to 6, similar to the existing schedule for measles and rubella./pp

Atoyan reported that between August 1 and 20, Armenia registered 336 cases of chickenpox, with approximately 83% of the infected being individuals under 18 years old./pp

Official statistics reveal that in the first half of the year, Armenia recorded 14,948 cases of chickenpox, with 7,316 cases among women. Of these, 13,540 cases were diagnosed in individuals under 18 years old, including 1,342 cases in children under 2 years old and 5,177 cases in children aged 3 to 6. Additionally, 3,262 cases were reported in rural areas./pp

Chickenpox is an acute viral disease that spreads through airborne droplets. In mild climates, 90% of the population contracts chickenpox by the age of 15, and 95% during childhood. The incubation period is 21 days, and the disease is usually mild, characterized by a slight fever and pustular rash./p br br