title: [Prevention of herpes zoster by vaccination].
abstract: Herpes zoster (HZ) and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) are frequently occurring diseases in elderly and in immuno-compromised persons. The live attenuated HZ vaccine boosts an existing immune response, so that the already established varicella-zoster virus infection is kept latent. Vaccination has been shown to halve the risk of HZ, and the risk of PHN is reduced by two thirds in people = 60 years. The vaccine is approved for persons aged = 50 years. However, the clinical efficacy of the vaccine is best studied in people aged = 60 years. The vaccine has so far not shown any serious side-effects.
authors.affiliation: Dermato-venerologisk Afdeling D41, Bispebjerg Hospital, 2400 København NV, Denmark. kkof0013@bbh.regionh.dk
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kofoed
authors.forename: Finn
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rønholt
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gerstoft
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sand
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008875:Middle Aged; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine