Costs and benefits of varicella screening and vaccination for healthcare workers at a general hospital

ABSTRACT

To demonstrate the costs and benefits of screening and vaccinating varicella-susceptible healthcare personnel at a general hospital with live attenuated varicella-zoster virus vaccine. Screening of healthcare workers at Almana General Hospital, Al-Khobar, Dammam for varicella-zoster antibody by indirect fluorescent antibody. Out of 757 healthcare workers, 511 [62.5%] had a definite history of varicella-zoster virus infection in the past. Of 161 healthcare workers with no history of varicella-zoster virus infection, 129 [80%] were positive for varicella-zoster antibody when tested by indirect fluorescent antibody. There were 28 cases of chickenpox among hospital staff in one year, and they were excluded from contact with patients for 5-7 days each. Adopting varicella screening and vaccination of susceptible healthcare workers in a general hospital would be cost-effective and will result in improved patient care