Zoster Vaccine After Shingles? When—and Why

Volume 50 - Issue 5 - May 2010
In the February 2010 issue of CONSULTANT, we published a question from John Mosby, MD, who wanted to know why the zoster vaccine had been administered to an older man in an earlier Photoclinic case (Ophthalmic Zoster) who had ophthalmic zoster. We also published the response from Dr Tran, which cited the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation to administer the vaccine to all patients 60 years or older in whom it is not contraindicated, including those with a history of previous zoster.

A number of readers wrote us regarding this exchange. Some voiced their frustration that the rationale for the ACIP recommendation had not been provided. Others expressed reservations about the recommendation. Still others provided insights into the rationale behind the recommendation and suggestions regarding its application in actual practice. A sampling of these letters follows.

Dr Tran's reply in the Consultations & Comments exchange, "Why Is Zoster Vaccine Needed After Shingles?" did not answer the question Dr Mosby asked—namely, why the zoster vaccine is needed after shingles. Dr Tran merely stated that the vaccine can be given to patients who have had shingles. However, the question is not "is the vaccine safe or not contraindicated?" but "why is it necessary?"

What I—and probably Dr Mosby and many other practitioners—want to know is whether there is a clinical benefit to giving the vaccine after an outbreak of shingles. In the context of population immunization protocols, Dr Tran's answer is relevant. However, Dr Mosby's question applies to a specific clinical situation, one that we all see frequently—and that deserves a specific answer.

William Nation, MD
Sonora, Calif

 

Robert P. Blereau, MD, of Morgan City, La, sent us this quote from Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report,1 which explains why the ACIP recommends the zoster vaccine even in persons with a reported history of zoster:

Repeated zoster has been confirmed in immunocompetent persons soon after a previous episode.4 Although the precise risk for and severity of zoster as a function of time following an earlier episode are unknown, some studies suggest it may be comparable to the risk in persons without a history of zoster.62,169 Furthermore, no laboratory evaluations exist to test for the previous occurrence of zoster, and any reported diagnosis or history might be erroneous.4,64,65 Although the safety and efficacy of zoster vaccine have not been assessed in persons with a history of zoster, different safety concerns are not expected in this group.

REFERENCES:
4. Oxman MN, Levin MJ, Johnson GR, et al. A vaccine to prevent herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in older adults. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:2271-2284.
62. Yawn BP, Saddier S. Wollan P, et al. A population-based study of the incidence and complications of herpes zoster before zoster vaccine introduction. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007;82:1341-1349.
64. Rubben A, Baron JM, Grussendorf-Conen EI. Routine detection of herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus by polymerase chain reaction reveals that initial herpes zoster is frequently misdiagnosed as herpes simplex. Br J Dermatol. 1997;137:259-261.          
65. Kalman CM, Laskin OL. Herpes zoster and zosteriform herpes simplex virus infections in immunocompetent adults. Am J Med. 1986;81:775-778.
169. Molin A. Aspects of the natural history of herpes zoster: a follow-up investigation of outpatient material. Acta Derm-Venereol. 1969;49:569-583.

REFERENCE:
1. Harpaz R, Ortega-Sanchez IR, Seward JF; Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention of herpes zoster: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) [published correction appears in MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008;57:779]. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008;57(RR-5):1-30.
 

 

The Consultations & Comments exchange between Drs John Mosby and Khiem Tran in the February issue of CONSULTANT discusses the question "why is the zoster vaccine needed after shingles?" Unfortunately, Dr Tran does not discuss the rationale for this recommendation.

The Shingles Prevention Study excluded patients with a history of zoster1; thus, there are no published data on the safety or efficacy of the vaccine in this population. The ACIP nevertheless recommends use of the vaccine without respect to prior zoster because zoster can recur; in addition, the vaccine might have some benefit in preventing recurrence.2 However, Dr Mosby is correct to question that benefit, since there are no published data to support the theoretical value of the vaccine in this setting. This fact, as well as the absence of any way to identify which patients with a history of zoster might benefit from the vaccine, was recognized by the ACIP.

The vaccine is not inexpensive, and because for many patients it is covered by their Medicare Part D plan, the cost to the patient can be substantial. I feel that it is appropriate to discuss the absence of proven benefit, the cost, and the ACIP recommendation with patients who ask about the use of the vaccine after they have had shingles.

Jonathan Blum, MD, PhD
Santa Clara, Calif            

REFERENCES:
1. Oxman MN, Levin MJ, Johnson GR, et al; Shingles Prevention Study Group. A vaccine to prevent herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in older adults. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:2271-2284.
2. Harpaz R, Ortega-Sanchez IR, Seward JF; Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention of herpes zoster: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) [published correction appears in MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008;57:779]. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008;57(RR-5):1-30.

 

Dr Mosby's question was specific and reasonable. However, Dr Tran's answer dealt mainly in generalities, leaving the reader unsatisfied. Several years ago, I had concerns similar to Dr Mosby's and sought clarification from the ACIP. The following response may prove helpful: