Zoster vaccine

Zoster vaccines are two vaccines that have been shown to reduce the rates of herpes zoster (also known as shingles). One type, Zostavax, is essentially a larger-than-normal dose of the chickenpox vaccine, as both shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus, the varicella zoster virus (VZV). A recombinant version, Shingrix, was approved in the United States in 2017.A Cochrane review concluded that 'herpes zoster vaccine is effective in preventing herpes zoster disease and this protection can last three years'. The duration of protection beyond four years after vaccination with the zoster vaccine is unknown. The need for re-vaccination has not been defined.The live vaccine (Zostavax) is very safe; one to a few percent of people develop a mild form of chickenpox, often with about five or six blisters around the injection site, and without fever. The blisters are harmless and temporary. In one study 64 percent of the Zostavax group and 14 percent of the controls had some adverse reaction. However, the rates of serious adverse events were comparable between the Zostavax group (0.6 percent) and those receiving the placebo (0.5 percent). A study including children with leukaemia found that the risk of getting shingles after vaccination is much lower than the risk of getting shingles for children with natural chicken pox in their history. Data from healthy children and adults point in the same direction.The Zostavax vaccine contains live attenuated varicella-zoster virus. It is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) in the upper arm. The live vaccine was developed using the MRC-5 line of fetal stem cells. This has raised religious and ethical concerns for some potential users, since that cell line was derived from an aborted fetus.In Canada the cost of Shingrix is about 300 CAD for the two doses.