Active immunization of children exposed to varicella infection in a hospital ward using live attenuated varicella vaccine given subcutaneously or intracutaneously.

Active immunization using Takahashi OKA live attenuated varicella vaccine was carried out fire 5 times to prevent the spread of "imported" varicella in a hospital ward. Susceptibility was previously tested by serological examinations: 14 children were vaccinated subcutaneously, the other 19 received the vaccine intracutaneously. Vaccination within a few days following exposure provided complete immunity in the great majority of cases. Intracutaneous administration was nearly as protective as the subcutaneous one.