Evidence of increasing frequency of herpes zoster management in Australian general practice since the introduction of a varicella vaccine

Grant, Kristina A; Carville, Kylie S; Kelly, Heath A

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2010.tb04009.x

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To the Editor: Nelson and colleagues1 referred to the limited community data from the Melbourne Medical Deputising Service (MMDS) that was analysed by Carville et al.2 MMDS consultations also represent general practice consultations, although the majority of MMDS consultations occur after hours. We can now provide an update on MMDS consultations from January 1998 to June 2010, stratified by age.

Epidemiology Unit, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Melbourne, VIC.

Correspondence: kristina.grant@mh.org.au

1. Nelson M, Britt H, Harrison C. Evidence of increasing frequency of herpes zoster management in Australian general practice since the introduction of a varicella vaccine. Med J Aust 2010; 193: 110-113. <MJA full text>
2. Carville KS, Riddell MA, Kelly HA. A decline in varicella but an uncertain impact on zoster following varicella vaccination in Victoria, Australia. Vaccine 2010; 28: 2532-2538.
3. Miller ER, Kelly HA. Varicella infection: evidence for peak activity in summer months. J Infect 2008; 56: 360-365.

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