Zoster Vaccine

Zoster vaccine contains live attenuated varicella-zoster virus. The elderly are at increased risk of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. One 0.5-mL sc injection of the vaccine appears to reduce risk of developing herpes zoster or postherpetic neuralgia by more than ½ and to reduce pain due to zoster to a similar degree. Serious adverse effects appear to be uncommon.

This topic was last updated February 2006.