Abstract
Herpes zoster (HZ) affects approximately 1 in 3 persons in their lifetime, and the risk of HZ increases with increasing age. The most common, debilitating complication of HZ is the chronic neuropathic pain of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Two herpes zoster vaccines, a live-attenuated varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccine (zoster vaccine live [ZVL]; ZOSTAVAX [Merck]) and an adjuvanted VZV glycoprotein E (gE) subunit vaccine (recombinant zoster vaccine [RZV]; SHINGRIX [GlaxoSmithKline]) are licensed for the prevention of HZ and PHN in healthy older adults. The safety and efficacy of both vaccines has been demonstrated in clinical trials in immunocompetent adults and in selected immunocompromised persons and persons with immune-mediated diseases. Numerous real-world effectiveness studies have confirmed the safety and effectiveness of both ZVL and RZV. Recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) is more effective for prevention of HZ than ZVL. Recombinant zoster vaccine is nonreplicating and is thus safe in immunocompromised persons. Additional zoster vaccines are in different stages of development. Wider distribution of safe and effective zoster vaccines will improve the health and well being of the rapidly growing population of older adults around the world.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
