Use of live varicella vaccine in children with acute leukemia and malignant lymphoma.

Live varicella vaccine was given to 7 children with acute leukemia and 1 child with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Seroconversion without any clinical reactions was observed in 4 children in remission from acute leukemia without interruption of anticancer medication. These children have been free from varicella for 5 to 11 months after vaccination. Mild to severe clinical reactions developed in 3 of 4 children who were receiving remission induction chemotherapy. It is concluded that live varicella vaccine is effective in children with acute leukemia without interrupting anticancer medication, but that it is not suitable for children with leukemia and lymphoma who are receiving remission induction chemotherapy with antileukemic agents.