title: Prevention of Herpes Zoster and its complications: From clinical evidence to real life experience.
abstract: Herpes zoster (HZ) is an acute viral illness characterized by a vesicular rash with unilateral distribution, which can also result in severe complications such as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), ophthalmic zoster, stroke or other neurological complications. The estimate incidence in Europe ranges between 2.0 and 4.6 cases per 1,000 person-years, with a sharp increase in >50 year-old subjects. Currently, treatment options for HZ are only partially effective in limiting the acute phase, while the management of complications is complex and often unsatisfactory. The total burden of the disease and the high costs related to its diagnostic and therapeutic management led researchers to develop a new preventive approach through a live attenuated virus vaccine. The currently available vaccine, with a high antigen content, is safe, well tolerated and reduces the incidence of HZ, PHN and the burden of illness. Several countries have introduced this vaccination, albeit with different recommendations and methods of financing. Taking into account the barriers to this immunization registered in some areas (difficulty of vaccine distribution, lack of physician recommendations, the cost of vaccine for patients, etc.), this group of Italian experts advocate that a common strategy able to guarantee a good compliance with this vaccination should be implemented. The same group addresses some practical questions concerning the use of zoster vaccine.
authors.affiliation: a University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gabutti
authors.affiliation: b University of Florence , Florence , Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bonanni
authors.affiliation: c LHU Taranto , Taranto , Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Conversano
authors.affiliation: d University of Parma , Parma , Italy.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fanelli
authors.affiliation: e University Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.affiliation: f Epidemiologist , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Donato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.affiliation: g University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Icardi
authors.affiliation: e University Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lazzari
authors.affiliation: h Board of the Italian Society of General Medicine , Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: i Board of the Italian Federation of General Practitioners , Italy.
authors.forename: Silvestro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scotti
authors.affiliation: e University Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Volpi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated
keywords: Herpes zoster; clinical evidence; immunization; prevention; real world experiences