Disseminated varicella zoster virus infection following live attenuated herpes zoster vaccine: descriptive analysis of reports to Australia's spontaneous vaccine pharmacovigilance system, 2016-2020.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To examine the reported incidence and features of disseminated varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection following live attenuated herpes zoster vaccine live (ZVL: Zostavax, Merck) in immunocompromised people in Australia.

Design and setting

ZVL was funded in 2016 in Australia for people aged 70 years, with a catch-up programme for those 71-79 years. From 2016 to 2020, three deaths due to disseminated vaccine-strain VZV infection occurred following inadvertent ZVL administration in individuals with varying levels of immunocompromise. This descriptive study examined 4 years of national surveillance data reported to the Therapeutic Goods Administration's Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS). Denominator data for rates were from doses recorded in the Australian Immuni

SUBMITTER: Li-Kim-Moy J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9884885 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature