Herpes Zoster Vaccine

The herpes zoster vaccine, also known as the shingles vaccine, is a vaccination designed to protect against herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles. Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Types of Herpes Zoster Vaccines

There are two types of herpes zoster vaccines:

• Zostavax: This is a live, attenuated vaccine, which means it contains a weakened form of the varicella-zoster virus. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006 for use in people aged 60 and older.
• Shingrix: This is an inactivated vaccine, which means it contains a killed form of the varicella-zoster virus. It was approved by the FDA in 2017 for use in people aged 50 and older.

How the Vaccine Works

The herpes zoster vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against the varicella-zoster virus, which helps to prevent shingles or reduce its severity if it does occur. The vaccine is administered in a series of injections, typically two doses given 2-6 months apart for Shingrix.

Effectiveness

Studies have shown that the herpes zoster vaccine can be highly effective in preventing shingles and reducing its complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a painful condition that can occur after shingles. The effectiveness of the vaccine varies depending on the type of vaccine and the age of the person being vaccinated.

• Zostavax: This vaccine has been shown to be about 50-60% effective in preventing shingles and 70-80% effective in preventing PHN in people aged 60 and older.
• Shingrix: This vaccine has been shown to be about 90-95% effective in preventing shingles and 85-90% effective in preventing PHN in people aged 50 and older.

Safety

The herpes zoster vaccine is generally safe and well-tolerated. Common side effects include:

• Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Nausea

Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that healthy adults aged 50 and older receive two doses of Shingrix, 2-6 months apart, to protect against shingles. Zostavax may still be used in certain situations, such as for people who are allergic to Shingrix or have a weakened immune system.