What effect can be expected? | Zostavax® vaccination against shingles

What effect can be expected?

The active ingredient in the Zostavax® vaccine is live Varicella zoster pathogens. These are no longer capable of causing an infection. These are attenuated forms of the pathogens – so-called attenuated pathogens.

However, in persons whose immune system is no longer adequately functional, this live vaccine could lead to the progression of an infection – therefore, they are only used in healthy patients. When vaccinated with Zostavax® there is no direct effect for the patient. In Germany, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has not yet issued a recommendation with this vaccine.

This decision is not based on the hazards or risks of the vaccination, but on the lack of effectiveness. In its evaluation, the RKI came to the conclusion that the vaccine does not provide long-term protection against Belt Rose (Herpes Zoster) caused by the Zostavax® vaccine. In view of a cost-use statement, no recommendation has been issued.

Especially in patients over 80 years of age, there was a lack of data that would have demonstrated good efficacy. In control studies it has been shown that the incidence of Belt Rose was reduced when vaccinated with Zostavax® compared to people who were vaccinated with a placebo. Here, the effectiveness of the vaccination was shown to be 70% (50-59 years) and 41% (70-79 years).

Less positive are the data on how long the vaccination is effective. Here a decrease in the effectiveness of the protection against shingles of less than 50% is shown after only two years.From this, the RKI calculates a high cost factor for a permanent – i.e. repeated – immunization (vaccination) with the vaccine. Interestingly, in other countries a recommendation for a vaccination is given one year after the occurrence of herpes zoster.

This is to prevent the repeated occurrence of shingles. People who have been vaccinated with Zostavax® often experience redness, swelling, itching and pain at the injection site. In addition, overheating, headaches, bruising, fever, muscle pain or even skin rashes are common.

Occasionally patients report nausea and swollen lymph nodes. Rarely, wheals occur at the vaccination site. Very rarely (1 in 10.

0000 vaccinated patients) chickenpox infection or shingles was caused by the vaccination. The Robert Koch Institute evaluates the tolerability of the vaccine as good. The locally occurring side effects are only mild and do not last long.