Is there a need for an alternative varicella vaccine?

Varicella, also known as chickenpox, is an infectious disease with a characteristic skin rash caused by the Varicella zoster virus. After the initial infection, varicella zoster virus can remain dormant and potentially reactivate in later life as herpes zoster, or shingles.1 The currently licensed varicella vaccines are all live attenuated and typically contain the Oka strain (vOka), except for one vaccine approved in South Korea.2 These vaccines are available in two forms for childhood vaccination: a monovalent varicella vaccine or a combination vaccine that includes measles, mumps, and rubella.