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Review
. 2011 May;269(5):496-506.
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02359.x. Epub 2011 Feb 23.

Efficacy of live zoster vaccine in preventing zoster and postherpetic neuralgia

D Gilden  1
Affiliations
Review

Efficacy of live zoster vaccine in preventing zoster and postherpetic neuralgia

D Gilden. J Intern Med. 2011 May.

Abstract

Declining cell-mediated immunity to varicella zoster virus (VZV) in elderly individuals results in virus reactivation manifest by zoster (shingles) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). To prevent virus reactivation, a new VZV vaccine (Zostavax; Merck) that boosts cell-mediated immunity to VZV was developed. The 3-year Shingles Prevention Study showed that Zostavax significantly reduced burden of disease because of zoster and PHN. Despite its cost-effectiveness for adults aged 65-75 years, as determined in the United States, Canada and UK, <2% of immunocompetent adults over age 60 years in the United States were immunized in 2007. This was because of a combination of lack of patient awareness of the vaccine, physicians' uncertainty about the duration of protection and different cost-sharing plans for immunization. Nevertheless, zoster vaccine is safe, effective and highly recommended for immunization of immunocompetent individuals over age 60 years with no history of recent zoster.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement No conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The neurological complications of varicella zoster virus reactivation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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