For serious adverse events that occur after varicella vaccination, are there laboratory methods that distinguish the vaccine virus from the wild virus?
Yes, CDCs National VZV Laboratory provides VZV strain discrimination testing to state and local public health organizations and to private physicians in cases of suspected adverse events following vaccination. The laboratory offers free testing for suspected adverse events such as: • Individuals who develop > 50 lesions 7-42 days post vaccination; • Individuals who develop certain serious adverse experiences post vaccination including pneumonia, pneumonitis, cerebritis (encephalitis), cerebellitis (cerebellar ataxia) and aseptic meningitis; • Herpes zoster post vaccination; • Suspected cases of secondary transmission of the vaccine virus; • Pregnant women who inadvertently receive varicella vaccine or who have been exposed to a vaccinee and who develop a varicella rash. The contact phone number at the National VZV Laboratory for information on this service including how to collect and transport specimens is (404) 639-0066. The National VZV Laboratory is also equipped to provide VZV ser
