Clinical Summary Slide Varicella Zoster Vaccine

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Clinical Summary SlideVaricella Zoster Vaccine

• Shingles or Herpes Zoster infection is caused by
  reactivation of latent Varicella Zoster virus
• Virus becomes latent in the dorsal root ganglion
• Reactivation of latent virus produces a
  unilateral, dermatomal, vesicular rash which is
  painful
• Pain at the site and after healing of the rash is
  a major morbidity of this infection
• Pain which persists after the rash has resolved
  is called postherpetic neuraligia.
• The Shingles Prevention study enrolled over
  38,000 volunteers in a randomized double blind
  study to evaluate the Oka/Merck vaccine for
  prevention of postherpetic neuralgia.
• ZOSTAVAX Zoster Vaccine Live (Oka/Merck) -live
  attenuated Zoster virus was
• Licensed for the prevention of Herpes Zoster in
  adults 60 years of age or older
• On October 25, 2006, the Advisory Committee on
  Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended
• ZOSTAVAX be given to adults 60 years of age and
  older for prevention of Herpes Zoster and
  postherpetic neuralgia