Does a Recent Herpes Zoster Episode Preclude Vaccination?
My patient recently had herpes zoster. Should she be given the zoster vaccine?
— Herbert Gersh, MD
Treasure Island, Fla
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends the zoster vaccine for persons aged 60 years and older, whether or not they have had a previous episode of herpes zoster.1 The vaccine may be effective in preventing a second outbreak of herpes zoster, although there are no data yet on secondary prevention. However, if a patient has had a documented case of herpes zoster in the past 3 to 4 years, the zoster vaccine may not be necessary; a natural episode boosts immunity as well as or better than the vaccine.
— Kenneth Schmader, MD
Vice Chief, Division of Geriatrics
Duke University and Durham VA Medical Centers
Durham, NC
1. ACIP Provisional Recommendations for the Use of Zoster Vaccine. November 20, 2006. http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/provisional_recs/zoster-11-20-06.pdf. Accessed February 14, 2007.