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Infect Chemother.  2018 Dec;50(4):311-318. 10.3947/ic.2018.50.4.311.

Optimal Timing of Zoster Vaccination After Shingles: A Prospective Study of the Immunogenicity and Safety of Live Zoster Vaccine

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. wbpark1@snu.ac.kr

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Zoster vaccination is recommended for people with a history of herpes zoster (HZ), but the most effective timing of vaccine administration after zoster illness is unresolved. This prospective observational study compared the immunogenicity and safety of administering HZ vaccine at 6-12 months and 1-5 years after zoster illness.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Blood samples were collected before the administration of live zoster vaccine and 6 weeks after vaccination. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) IgG concentrations and T-cell responses were assessed by glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT), respectively.
RESULTS
The baseline geometric mean value (GMV) of VZV IgG was higher in the 6-12 months group than in the 1-5 years group (245.5 IU/mL vs. 125.9 IU/mL; P = 0.021). However, the GMV increased significantly in both groups (P = 0.002 in the 6-12 months group; P <0.001 in the 1-5 years group). The results of the ELISPOT assay were not significant for differences of the GMV between baseline and 6-week post-vaccination groups, while the GMV increased significantly in both groups (P = 0.001 in the 6-12 months group; P <0.001 in the 1-5 years group).
CONCLUSION
The immunogenicity of zoster vaccine may be similar whether administered 6-12 months, or >1 year after zoster illness. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02704572

Keyword

Zoster vaccine; Herpes zoster; Immunogenicity; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Enzyme-linked immunospot assay

MeSH Terms

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay
Glycoproteins
Herpes Zoster Vaccine*
Herpes Zoster*
Herpesvirus 3, Human
Immunoglobulin G
Observational Study
Prospective Studies*
T-Lymphocytes
Vaccination*
Glycoproteins
Herpes Zoster Vaccine
Immunoglobulin G
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