VACCINE RESOURCE COMMITTEE

of the Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association

View Full List of Vaccine Questions Here

Herpes zoster (shingles) Vaccine Question #4:

Should people who had chickenpox get the vaccine?

Yes, sometimes people do not know they have had chickenpox as the disease may have been mild in early childhood. Even if a person has not had chickenpox or had the chickenpox vaccine, it is ok to get the shingles vaccine.

RZV should be administered to individuals for whom vaccine is indicated regardless of whether the person has a history of varicella infection. Nearly all Canadians eligible for HZ immunization will have had prior varicella exposure, even if a diagnosis of varicella cannot be recalled. There is no known safety risk associated with immunization of healthy individuals who are susceptible to VZV.

HZ vaccines significantly reduce the incidence of HZ and PHN as well as the duration and severity of HZ. While protection against HZ remains statistically significant up to 3 years following immunization with LZV, significant waning of protection has been observed one-year post immunization, particularly in older age groups.

In contrast, RZV efficacy in the four years post immunization remains consistent and above 90% in all age groups.

Adults (50 years of age and older)

Immunization with a 2 dose series of RZV is recommended for the prevention of HZ and PHN for adults 50 years of age or older without contraindications.

For adults ≥ 50 years of age without contraindications who have previously been immunized with LZV, immunization with a 2 dose series of RZV should be offered. Re-immunization with RZV may be considered at least one year after LZV.

For adults ≥ 50 years of age without contraindications who have had a previous episode of HZ, immunization with a 2 dose series of RZV should be offered. Immunization with RZV may be considered at least one year after the episode of HZ. Persons with active HZ should not be immunized with HZ vaccine.

Sources:

Government of Canada: Herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine: Canadian Immunization Guide