Aparajita Singh, MD, MPH

In Reply: We thank Dr. Shaheen for his interesting comment. He has made an important point. The data on the use of shingles vaccine in patients with a history of zoster are insufficient. The main study of shingles vaccine¹ excluded patients who had already had shingles.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says: “Persons with a reported history of zoster can [emphasis added] be vaccinated. Repeated zoster has been confirmed in immunocompetent persons soon after a previous episode. 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. Furthermore, no laboratory evaluations exist to test for the previous occurrence of zoster, and any reported diagnosis or history might be erroneous.”²

Until more data are available for this patient population, current evidence and availability of shingles vaccine should be discussed with patients who report a history of shingles.

In Reply: We thank Dr. Shaheen for his interesting comment. He has made an important point. The data on the use of shingles vaccine in patients with a history of zoster are insufficient. The main study of shingles vaccine¹ excluded patients who had already had shingles.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says: “Persons with a reported history of zoster can [emphasis added] be vaccinated. Repeated zoster has been confirmed in immunocompetent persons soon after a previous episode. 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. Furthermore, no laboratory evaluations exist to test for the previous occurrence of zoster, and any reported diagnosis or history might be erroneous.”²

Until more data are available for this patient population, current evidence and availability of shingles vaccine should be discussed with patients who report a history of shingles.

In Reply: We thank Dr. Shaheen for his interesting comment. He has made an important point. The data on the use of shingles vaccine in patients with a history of zoster are insufficient. The main study of shingles vaccine¹ excluded patients who had already had shingles.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says: “Persons with a reported history of zoster can [emphasis added] be vaccinated. Repeated zoster has been confirmed in immunocompetent persons soon after a previous episode. 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. Furthermore, no laboratory evaluations exist to test for the previous occurrence of zoster, and any reported diagnosis or history might be erroneous.”²

Until more data are available for this patient population, current evidence and availability of shingles vaccine should be discussed with patients who report a history of shingles.

In Reply: We appreciate the interest and comments of Dr Hirsch. Due to space limitations of the Journal’s 1-Minute Consult format, we were unable to elaborate on the cost and reimbursement. Since shingles vaccine is not covered by Medicare part B, reimbursement and administration of this vaccine remains challenging, and resources like eDispense are helpful tools for the physician to simplify the process of reimbursement—with no charge to the physician.

In Reply: We appreciate the interest and comments of Dr Hirsch. Due to space limitations of the Journal’s 1-Minute Consult format, we were unable to elaborate on the cost and reimbursement. Since shingles vaccine is not covered by Medicare part B, reimbursement and administration of this vaccine remains challenging, and resources like eDispense are helpful tools for the physician to simplify the process of reimbursement—with no charge to the physician.

In Reply: We appreciate the interest and comments of Dr Hirsch. Due to space limitations of the Journal’s 1-Minute Consult format, we were unable to elaborate on the cost and reimbursement. Since shingles vaccine is not covered by Medicare part B, reimbursement and administration of this vaccine remains challenging, and resources like eDispense are helpful tools for the physician to simplify the process of reimbursement—with no charge to the physician.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routinely giving a single dose of live zoster vaccine to immunocompetent patients age 60 and older at their first clinical encounter. The vaccine effectively prevents shingles and postherpetic neuralgia and their associated burden of illness. Although not all insurance companies pay for it yet, it should be offered to all patients for whom it is indicated to increase their health-related quality of life.

IMMUNITY WANES WITH AGE

Shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster, is caused by retrograde transport of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) from the ganglia to the skin in a host who had a primary varicella infection (chickenpox) in the past.¹ Although shingles is not one of the diseases that must be reported to public health authorities, more than 1 million cases are estimated to occur each year in the United States. From 10% to 30% of people develop shingles during their lifetime.^2,3

The elderly are at particular risk of shingles, because immunity to VZV wanes as a part of normal aging. As many as 50% of people who live to age 85 will have shingles at some point in their life.

Moreover, about 20% of patients with shingles develop postherpetic neuralgia,^3,4 the pain and discomfort of which can be disabling and can diminish quality of life.⁵

Antiviral therapy reduces the severity and duration of an episode of shingles but does not prevent postherpetic neuralgia.^2,6 Steroids provide additional relief of acute zoster pain, but they do not clearly prevent postherpetic neuralgia either and should be used only in combination with antiviral drugs. Preventing zoster and postherpetic neuralgia by routine vaccination should be a goal in our efforts to promote healthy aging, especially with the increasing number of elderly in our country.⁷

THE VACCINE IS EFFECTIVE: THE SHINGLES PREVENTION STUDY

The Shingles Prevention Study was a prospective, double-blind trial in more than 38,000 adults, median age 69 years (range 59–99), who were followed for a mean of 3.13 years (range 1 day to 4.9 years) after receiving the zoster vaccine or placebo.^8–10

The virus in the vaccine did not elicit shingles in any patient. After vaccination, if lesions did occur, they were from the patient’s native strain, not the vaccine strain.⁸

ZOSTAVAX

The US Food and Drug Administration approved the zoster vaccine in May 2006 for prevention of herpes zoster in people age 60 and older. Zostavax, licensed by Merck, is the only vaccine available for this purpose.^11,12 Zoster vaccine is not indicated for treating episodes of shingles or postherpetic neuralgia or for preventing primary varicella infection (chickenpox).

Zostavax does not contain thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative used in other vaccines. Therefore, it must be kept frozen at an average temperature of –15°C (5°F) and should not be used if its temperature rises above –5°C (23°F).^13,14 Just before it is given, the vaccine is reconstituted with the supplied diluents and then injected subcutaneously in the deltoid region.¹²

No booster dose is recommended at present. Also, many cases of herpes zoster occur in people under age 60, for whom there is no recommendation.^11,15 Although the vaccine would probably be safe and effective in this younger group, data are insufficient to recommend vaccinating them.¹⁶

ZOSTER VACCINE (ZOSTAVAX) IS NOT CHICKENPOX VACCINE (VARIVAX)

Both Zostavax and the chickenpox vaccine (Varivax) are live, attenuated vaccines from the same Oka/Merck strain of the virus, but Zostavax is about 14 times more potent than Varivax (Zostavax contains 8,700–60,000 plaque-forming units of virus, whereas Varivax contains 1,350), and they should not be used interchangeably.¹⁴

GIVING ZOSTER VACCINE WITH OTHER VACCINES IN THE ELDERLY

Zostavax can be given either simultaneously with or at any time before or after any inactivated vaccine (such as tetanus toxoid, influenza, pneumococcus). However, each vaccine must be given in a separate syringe at a different anatomic site.¹⁷

VACCINATE EVEN IF THE PATIENT DOESN’T RECALL HAVING CHICKENPOX

Even in people who do not recall ever having chickenpox, the rate of VZV seropositivity is very high (> 95% in those over age 60 in the United States).¹⁸ The ACIP recommends vaccination whether or not the patient reports having had chickenpox. Serologic testing to determine varicella immunity is not needed before vaccination, nor was it required for entry in the Shingles Prevention Study.

Furthermore, in VZV-seronegative adults, giving the zoster vaccine is thought to provide at least partial protection against varicella, and no data indicate any excessive adverse effects in this population.

VACCINATE EVEN IF THE PATIENT HAS HAD SHINGLES

The ACIP says that people with a history of zoster can be vaccinated. Recurrent zoster has been confirmed in immunocompetent patients soon after a previous episode. There is no test to confirm prior zoster episodes, and if the patient is immunocompetent, no different safety concerns are anticipated with vaccination in this group.¹⁶

ADVERSE EFFECTS ARE MILD

No significant safety concerns have been noted with zoster vaccine. Mild local reactions (erythema, swelling, pain, pruritus) and headache are the most common adverse events. There have been no differences in the numbers and types of serious adverse events during the 42 days after receipt of vaccine or placebo.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Contraindications to zoster vaccine are:

• A history of anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions to gelatin, neomycin, or other components of the vaccine
• Acquired or primary immune deficiency states, including AIDS
• Cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Organ transplantation
• Active untreated tuberculosis
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding.

However, patients with leukemia in remission who have not received chemotherapy (eg, alkylating drugs or antimetabolites) or radiation for at least 3 months can receive zoster vaccine.

Although zoster vaccine is contraindicated in conditions of cellular immune deficiency, patients with humoral immunodeficiency (eg, hypogammaglobulinemia or dysgammaglobulinemia) can receive it.

Diabetes, hypertension, chronic renal failure, coronary artery disease, chronic lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other medical conditions are not considered contraindications to the vaccine.

The ACIP does not recommend any upper age limit for the vaccine, and preventing zoster is particularly important in the oldest elderly because they have the highest incidence of zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.¹⁶

Do not vaccinate during immunosuppressive treatment

If immunosuppressive treatment is planned (eg, with corticosteroids or anti-tumor necrosis factor agents), the vaccine should be given at least 14 days (preferably 1 month) before immunosuppression begins.

The safety and efficacy of zoster vaccine is unknown in patients receiving recombinant human immune mediators and immune modulators, especially anti-tumor necrosis factor agents such as adalimumab (Humira), infliximab (Remicade), or etanercept (Enbrel). These patients should be vaccinated 1 month before starting the treatment or 1 month after stopping it.¹⁶

Patients on corticosteroids in doses equivalent to prednisone 20 mg/day or more for 2 or more weeks should not be vaccinated against zoster unless the steroids have been stopped for at least 1 month.¹¹

Low doses of methotrexate (< 0.4 mg/kg/week), azathioprine (Azasan) (< 3.0 mg/kg/day), or 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol, 6-MP) (< 1.5 mg/kg/day) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, polymyositis, sarcoidosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other conditions are not contraindications to zoster vaccination.

Medications against herpes, such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), or valacyclovir (Valtrex) should be discontinued at least 24 hours before zoster vaccination and should not be started until 14 days afterward.

COSTLY AND EFFECTIVE? OR COST-EFFECTIVE?

The average cost associated with an acute episode of zoster ranges from $112 to $287 if treated on an outpatient basis and $3,221 to $7,206 if the patient is hospitalized (costs in 2006).¹⁹

Although pharmacists are licensed to administer influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, several states do not specifically allow them to administer zoster vaccine. Moreover, one usually cannot provide the vaccine out of the office stock and get reimbursed for it (except by some private insurance companies). Instead, the patient needs to take a prescription to a local pharmacy, where the vaccine is placed on ice and then brought back to the physician’s office for administration.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routinely giving a single dose of live zoster vaccine to immunocompetent patients age 60 and older at their first clinical encounter. The vaccine effectively prevents shingles and postherpetic neuralgia and their associated burden of illness. Although not all insurance companies pay for it yet, it should be offered to all patients for whom it is indicated to increase their health-related quality of life.

IMMUNITY WANES WITH AGE

Shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster, is caused by retrograde transport of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) from the ganglia to the skin in a host who had a primary varicella infection (chickenpox) in the past.¹ Although shingles is not one of the diseases that must be reported to public health authorities, more than 1 million cases are estimated to occur each year in the United States. From 10% to 30% of people develop shingles during their lifetime.^2,3

The elderly are at particular risk of shingles, because immunity to VZV wanes as a part of normal aging. As many as 50% of people who live to age 85 will have shingles at some point in their life.

Moreover, about 20% of patients with shingles develop postherpetic neuralgia,^3,4 the pain and discomfort of which can be disabling and can diminish quality of life.⁵

Antiviral therapy reduces the severity and duration of an episode of shingles but does not prevent postherpetic neuralgia.^2,6 Steroids provide additional relief of acute zoster pain, but they do not clearly prevent postherpetic neuralgia either and should be used only in combination with antiviral drugs. Preventing zoster and postherpetic neuralgia by routine vaccination should be a goal in our efforts to promote healthy aging, especially with the increasing number of elderly in our country.⁷

THE VACCINE IS EFFECTIVE: THE SHINGLES PREVENTION STUDY

The Shingles Prevention Study was a prospective, double-blind trial in more than 38,000 adults, median age 69 years (range 59–99), who were followed for a mean of 3.13 years (range 1 day to 4.9 years) after receiving the zoster vaccine or placebo.^8–10

The virus in the vaccine did not elicit shingles in any patient. After vaccination, if lesions did occur, they were from the patient’s native strain, not the vaccine strain.⁸

ZOSTAVAX

The US Food and Drug Administration approved the zoster vaccine in May 2006 for prevention of herpes zoster in people age 60 and older. Zostavax, licensed by Merck, is the only vaccine available for this purpose.^11,12 Zoster vaccine is not indicated for treating episodes of shingles or postherpetic neuralgia or for preventing primary varicella infection (chickenpox).

Zostavax does not contain thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative used in other vaccines. Therefore, it must be kept frozen at an average temperature of –15°C (5°F) and should not be used if its temperature rises above –5°C (23°F).^13,14 Just before it is given, the vaccine is reconstituted with the supplied diluents and then injected subcutaneously in the deltoid region.¹²

No booster dose is recommended at present. Also, many cases of herpes zoster occur in people under age 60, for whom there is no recommendation.^11,15 Although the vaccine would probably be safe and effective in this younger group, data are insufficient to recommend vaccinating them.¹⁶

ZOSTER VACCINE (ZOSTAVAX) IS NOT CHICKENPOX VACCINE (VARIVAX)

Both Zostavax and the chickenpox vaccine (Varivax) are live, attenuated vaccines from the same Oka/Merck strain of the virus, but Zostavax is about 14 times more potent than Varivax (Zostavax contains 8,700–60,000 plaque-forming units of virus, whereas Varivax contains 1,350), and they should not be used interchangeably.¹⁴

GIVING ZOSTER VACCINE WITH OTHER VACCINES IN THE ELDERLY

Zostavax can be given either simultaneously with or at any time before or after any inactivated vaccine (such as tetanus toxoid, influenza, pneumococcus). However, each vaccine must be given in a separate syringe at a different anatomic site.¹⁷

VACCINATE EVEN IF THE PATIENT DOESN’T RECALL HAVING CHICKENPOX

Even in people who do not recall ever having chickenpox, the rate of VZV seropositivity is very high (> 95% in those over age 60 in the United States).¹⁸ The ACIP recommends vaccination whether or not the patient reports having had chickenpox. Serologic testing to determine varicella immunity is not needed before vaccination, nor was it required for entry in the Shingles Prevention Study.

Furthermore, in VZV-seronegative adults, giving the zoster vaccine is thought to provide at least partial protection against varicella, and no data indicate any excessive adverse effects in this population.

VACCINATE EVEN IF THE PATIENT HAS HAD SHINGLES

The ACIP says that people with a history of zoster can be vaccinated. Recurrent zoster has been confirmed in immunocompetent patients soon after a previous episode. There is no test to confirm prior zoster episodes, and if the patient is immunocompetent, no different safety concerns are anticipated with vaccination in this group.¹⁶

ADVERSE EFFECTS ARE MILD

No significant safety concerns have been noted with zoster vaccine. Mild local reactions (erythema, swelling, pain, pruritus) and headache are the most common adverse events. There have been no differences in the numbers and types of serious adverse events during the 42 days after receipt of vaccine or placebo.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Contraindications to zoster vaccine are:

• A history of anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions to gelatin, neomycin, or other components of the vaccine
• Acquired or primary immune deficiency states, including AIDS
• Cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Organ transplantation
• Active untreated tuberculosis
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding.

However, patients with leukemia in remission who have not received chemotherapy (eg, alkylating drugs or antimetabolites) or radiation for at least 3 months can receive zoster vaccine.

Although zoster vaccine is contraindicated in conditions of cellular immune deficiency, patients with humoral immunodeficiency (eg, hypogammaglobulinemia or dysgammaglobulinemia) can receive it.

Diabetes, hypertension, chronic renal failure, coronary artery disease, chronic lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other medical conditions are not considered contraindications to the vaccine.

The ACIP does not recommend any upper age limit for the vaccine, and preventing zoster is particularly important in the oldest elderly because they have the highest incidence of zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.¹⁶

Do not vaccinate during immunosuppressive treatment

If immunosuppressive treatment is planned (eg, with corticosteroids or anti-tumor necrosis factor agents), the vaccine should be given at least 14 days (preferably 1 month) before immunosuppression begins.

The safety and efficacy of zoster vaccine is unknown in patients receiving recombinant human immune mediators and immune modulators, especially anti-tumor necrosis factor agents such as adalimumab (Humira), infliximab (Remicade), or etanercept (Enbrel). These patients should be vaccinated 1 month before starting the treatment or 1 month after stopping it.¹⁶

Patients on corticosteroids in doses equivalent to prednisone 20 mg/day or more for 2 or more weeks should not be vaccinated against zoster unless the steroids have been stopped for at least 1 month.¹¹

Low doses of methotrexate (< 0.4 mg/kg/week), azathioprine (Azasan) (< 3.0 mg/kg/day), or 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol, 6-MP) (< 1.5 mg/kg/day) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, polymyositis, sarcoidosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other conditions are not contraindications to zoster vaccination.

Medications against herpes, such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), or valacyclovir (Valtrex) should be discontinued at least 24 hours before zoster vaccination and should not be started until 14 days afterward.

COSTLY AND EFFECTIVE? OR COST-EFFECTIVE?

The average cost associated with an acute episode of zoster ranges from $112 to $287 if treated on an outpatient basis and $3,221 to $7,206 if the patient is hospitalized (costs in 2006).¹⁹

Although pharmacists are licensed to administer influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, several states do not specifically allow them to administer zoster vaccine. Moreover, one usually cannot provide the vaccine out of the office stock and get reimbursed for it (except by some private insurance companies). Instead, the patient needs to take a prescription to a local pharmacy, where the vaccine is placed on ice and then brought back to the physician’s office for administration.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routinely giving a single dose of live zoster vaccine to immunocompetent patients age 60 and older at their first clinical encounter. The vaccine effectively prevents shingles and postherpetic neuralgia and their associated burden of illness. Although not all insurance companies pay for it yet, it should be offered to all patients for whom it is indicated to increase their health-related quality of life.

IMMUNITY WANES WITH AGE

Shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster, is caused by retrograde transport of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) from the ganglia to the skin in a host who had a primary varicella infection (chickenpox) in the past.¹ Although shingles is not one of the diseases that must be reported to public health authorities, more than 1 million cases are estimated to occur each year in the United States. From 10% to 30% of people develop shingles during their lifetime.^2,3

The elderly are at particular risk of shingles, because immunity to VZV wanes as a part of normal aging. As many as 50% of people who live to age 85 will have shingles at some point in their life.

Moreover, about 20% of patients with shingles develop postherpetic neuralgia,^3,4 the pain and discomfort of which can be disabling and can diminish quality of life.⁵

Antiviral therapy reduces the severity and duration of an episode of shingles but does not prevent postherpetic neuralgia.^2,6 Steroids provide additional relief of acute zoster pain, but they do not clearly prevent postherpetic neuralgia either and should be used only in combination with antiviral drugs. Preventing zoster and postherpetic neuralgia by routine vaccination should be a goal in our efforts to promote healthy aging, especially with the increasing number of elderly in our country.⁷

THE VACCINE IS EFFECTIVE: THE SHINGLES PREVENTION STUDY

The Shingles Prevention Study was a prospective, double-blind trial in more than 38,000 adults, median age 69 years (range 59–99), who were followed for a mean of 3.13 years (range 1 day to 4.9 years) after receiving the zoster vaccine or placebo.^8–10

The virus in the vaccine did not elicit shingles in any patient. After vaccination, if lesions did occur, they were from the patient’s native strain, not the vaccine strain.⁸

ZOSTAVAX

The US Food and Drug Administration approved the zoster vaccine in May 2006 for prevention of herpes zoster in people age 60 and older. Zostavax, licensed by Merck, is the only vaccine available for this purpose.^11,12 Zoster vaccine is not indicated for treating episodes of shingles or postherpetic neuralgia or for preventing primary varicella infection (chickenpox).

Zostavax does not contain thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative used in other vaccines. Therefore, it must be kept frozen at an average temperature of –15°C (5°F) and should not be used if its temperature rises above –5°C (23°F).^13,14 Just before it is given, the vaccine is reconstituted with the supplied diluents and then injected subcutaneously in the deltoid region.¹²

No booster dose is recommended at present. Also, many cases of herpes zoster occur in people under age 60, for whom there is no recommendation.^11,15 Although the vaccine would probably be safe and effective in this younger group, data are insufficient to recommend vaccinating them.¹⁶

ZOSTER VACCINE (ZOSTAVAX) IS NOT CHICKENPOX VACCINE (VARIVAX)

Both Zostavax and the chickenpox vaccine (Varivax) are live, attenuated vaccines from the same Oka/Merck strain of the virus, but Zostavax is about 14 times more potent than Varivax (Zostavax contains 8,700–60,000 plaque-forming units of virus, whereas Varivax contains 1,350), and they should not be used interchangeably.¹⁴

GIVING ZOSTER VACCINE WITH OTHER VACCINES IN THE ELDERLY

Zostavax can be given either simultaneously with or at any time before or after any inactivated vaccine (such as tetanus toxoid, influenza, pneumococcus). However, each vaccine must be given in a separate syringe at a different anatomic site.¹⁷

VACCINATE EVEN IF THE PATIENT DOESN’T RECALL HAVING CHICKENPOX

Even in people who do not recall ever having chickenpox, the rate of VZV seropositivity is very high (> 95% in those over age 60 in the United States).¹⁸ The ACIP recommends vaccination whether or not the patient reports having had chickenpox. Serologic testing to determine varicella immunity is not needed before vaccination, nor was it required for entry in the Shingles Prevention Study.

Furthermore, in VZV-seronegative adults, giving the zoster vaccine is thought to provide at least partial protection against varicella, and no data indicate any excessive adverse effects in this population.

VACCINATE EVEN IF THE PATIENT HAS HAD SHINGLES

The ACIP says that people with a history of zoster can be vaccinated. Recurrent zoster has been confirmed in immunocompetent patients soon after a previous episode. There is no test to confirm prior zoster episodes, and if the patient is immunocompetent, no different safety concerns are anticipated with vaccination in this group.¹⁶

ADVERSE EFFECTS ARE MILD

No significant safety concerns have been noted with zoster vaccine. Mild local reactions (erythema, swelling, pain, pruritus) and headache are the most common adverse events. There have been no differences in the numbers and types of serious adverse events during the 42 days after receipt of vaccine or placebo.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Contraindications to zoster vaccine are:

• A history of anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions to gelatin, neomycin, or other components of the vaccine
• Acquired or primary immune deficiency states, including AIDS
• Cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Organ transplantation
• Active untreated tuberculosis
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding.

However, patients with leukemia in remission who have not received chemotherapy (eg, alkylating drugs or antimetabolites) or radiation for at least 3 months can receive zoster vaccine.

Although zoster vaccine is contraindicated in conditions of cellular immune deficiency, patients with humoral immunodeficiency (eg, hypogammaglobulinemia or dysgammaglobulinemia) can receive it.

Diabetes, hypertension, chronic renal failure, coronary artery disease, chronic lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other medical conditions are not considered contraindications to the vaccine.

The ACIP does not recommend any upper age limit for the vaccine, and preventing zoster is particularly important in the oldest elderly because they have the highest incidence of zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.¹⁶

Do not vaccinate during immunosuppressive treatment

If immunosuppressive treatment is planned (eg, with corticosteroids or anti-tumor necrosis factor agents), the vaccine should be given at least 14 days (preferably 1 month) before immunosuppression begins.

The safety and efficacy of zoster vaccine is unknown in patients receiving recombinant human immune mediators and immune modulators, especially anti-tumor necrosis factor agents such as adalimumab (Humira), infliximab (Remicade), or etanercept (Enbrel). These patients should be vaccinated 1 month before starting the treatment or 1 month after stopping it.¹⁶

Patients on corticosteroids in doses equivalent to prednisone 20 mg/day or more for 2 or more weeks should not be vaccinated against zoster unless the steroids have been stopped for at least 1 month.¹¹

Low doses of methotrexate (< 0.4 mg/kg/week), azathioprine (Azasan) (< 3.0 mg/kg/day), or 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol, 6-MP) (< 1.5 mg/kg/day) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, polymyositis, sarcoidosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other conditions are not contraindications to zoster vaccination.

Medications against herpes, such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), or valacyclovir (Valtrex) should be discontinued at least 24 hours before zoster vaccination and should not be started until 14 days afterward.

COSTLY AND EFFECTIVE? OR COST-EFFECTIVE?

The average cost associated with an acute episode of zoster ranges from $112 to $287 if treated on an outpatient basis and $3,221 to $7,206 if the patient is hospitalized (costs in 2006).¹⁹

Although pharmacists are licensed to administer influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, several states do not specifically allow them to administer zoster vaccine. Moreover, one usually cannot provide the vaccine out of the office stock and get reimbursed for it (except by some private insurance companies). Instead, the patient needs to take a prescription to a local pharmacy, where the vaccine is placed on ice and then brought back to the physician’s office for administration.