P0845 Safety and Adverse Events of the Adjuvanted Herpes Zoster Vaccine (Shingrix) in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: A Comparison of Age Groups Under and Over 50 Years
Authors: Kim D H , Kang S B , Park Y H , Kim K O , Park S H , Lee Y J , Moon W , Park S J , Na S Y , Kim E S , Oh S J , Shin S Y ,   IBD research group of KASID (Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases)
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
This study investigates the safety profile of the adjuvanted herpes zoster (HZ) vaccine (Shingrix) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly comparing adverse events (AEs) in those under 50 years old versus those 50 and above. IBD patients, due to immune-modulating treatments, face an elevated risk for herpes zoster infection, yet data on the vaccine’s safety in this population remain limited.

Methods
A total of 244 IBD patients were enrolled and received the HZ vaccine. Participants were divided into two groups: those under 50 years and those aged 50 or older. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, including IBD type, medication history, and prior HZ infection, were collected. Post-vaccination local and systemic AEs, including any serious AEs (SAEs) and IBD-specific responses, were monitored following both doses.

Results
The mean age of participants was 45.3 years (range 18–78), with 146 individuals under 50 and 98 over 50. Common local AEs included injection site pain (51.2%) and redness (2.0%), with no notable age-related differences. Systemic AEs were predominantly myalgia (34.0%) and fatigue (19.3%), with the younger group (&lt;50 years) experiencing significantly higher rates of myalgia (39.0%) and shivering (17.1%) compared to those aged 50 and older. Only one SAE was recorded: a disease flare-up requiring hospitalization in the older age group after the first dose. No SAEs were observed following the second dose.

Conclusion
The Shingrix vaccine is generally safe for IBD patients, with AE profiles consistent across age groups. While younger patients reported more systemic AEs like myalgia and shivering, there was no increase in severe or IBD-specific AEs. These results support broader immunization efforts in IBD patients, including those under 50 years.

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