Varicella – trend and challenge for surveillance and for introduction of routine immunization in Romania

Background Varicella is a viral disease which can be easily prevented through vaccination. In European Union the surveillance systems for varicella and herpes zoster are highly heterogeneous or absent and seventeen countries have recommendations on varicella vaccination. In Romania varicella vaccination is not included in the National Immunization Program (NIP), although a major number of cases are reported annually. Our aim is to provide an overview of surveillance system and epidemiological issues of varicella in Romania in the last 10 years (2004-2013).