Use of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine in Immunocompromised Adults Aged ≥19 Years

Authors and Disclosures

Tara C. Anderson, DVM, PhD¹, Nina B. Masters, PhD^1,2, Angela Guo, MPH, MBA¹, Leah Shepersky, MPH¹, Andrew J. Leidner, PhD³, Grace M. Lee, MD⁴, Camille N. Kotton, MD⁵ and Kathleen L. Dooling, MD<sup>1

1</sup>Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC; ²Epidemic Intelligence Service, CDC; ³Immunization Services Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC; ⁴Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; ⁵Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Corresponding author
Tara C. Anderson, tcanderson1@cdc.gov.

All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. Camille N. Kotton reports consulting fees from GSK for scientific board membership for CMV vaccines, most recently in October 2019; receipt of payment from UpToDate for chapters on vaccines for immunocompromised patients; and being a counselor for the Transplantation Society. No other potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

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Summary

What is already known about this topic?

Immunocompromised persons experience a higher incidence of herpes zoster and related complications. On July 23, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration expanded the indication for use of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) to include immunodeficient or immunosuppressed adults.

What is added by this report?

On October 20, 2021, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended 2 RZV doses for prevention of herpes zoster and related complications in immunodeficient or immunosuppressed adults aged ≥19 years.

What are the implications for public health practice?

RZV is the first herpes zoster vaccine approved for use in immunocompromised persons. With moderate to high vaccine efficacy and an acceptable safety profile, RZV has the potential to prevent considerable herpes zoster incidence and related complications.