The use, safety, and effectiveness of herpes zoster vaccination in individuals with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases: a longitudinal observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Zostavax, a live attenuated vaccine, has been approved in the United States for use in older individuals to reduce the risk and severity of herpes zoster (HZ), also known as shingles. The vaccine is contraindicated in individuals taking anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF) therapies or other biologics commonly used to treat autoimmune diseases because of the safety concern that zoster vaccine may be associated with a short-term HZ risk. The objective of the study was to examine the use, safety (short-term HZ risk after vaccination), and effectiveness of zoster vaccine in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and/or inflammatory bowel diseases.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study of patients aged 50

SUBMITTER: Zhang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3308109 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature