Age: 60.0
Sex: M
Vaccine: VARZOS
Symptoms: Blister, Erythema, Herpes zoster, Injection site pain, Pain
Clinical narrative: Information has been received from a bachelor of science in nursing concerning a 50 year old male patient with hypertension, gastrooesophageal reflux disease (GERD), cardiac disease, no drug reactions or allergies and no history of prior shingles who on 18-SEP-2010 was vaccinated with a dose of ZOSTAVAX (Merck) (Lot # not available). Concomitant therapy included LIPITOR, NEXIUM, aspirin, PROCARDIA and ACEON. The nurse reported that the patient received ZOSTAVAX (Merck) and experienced shingles within 24 hours of receiving the vaccine, on 19-SEP-2010. Injection was given at local pharmacy of a grocery store. Patient was treated with acyclovir. Patient sought unspecified medical attention. No lab diagnostics studies were performed. At the time of the report the patient was recovering. Follow-up information has been received from a physician concerning a 60 year old male patient (previously reported as 50 years old) with hypertension, coronary artery disease and gastritis and no illness at time of vaccination who on 17-SEP-2010 (previously reported as 18-SEP-2010) was vaccinated with the first dose of ZOSTAVAX (Merck) into the right arm. Reporter stated that patient experienced shingles left trigeminal distribution on 19-SEP-2010. Patient was seen by physician. The patient had an evaluation by an ophthalmologist, however the results were not provided. Follow-up information has been received from a physician concerning the 60 years old patient with hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, non smoker or drinker and coronary artery disease and no known drug allergic and a history of coronary artery bypass graft, cholecystectomy and hernia repair. A family history positive for diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease. On 14-SEP-2010 the physician discussed with the patient about getting a vaccination since he had turned 60. On 18-SEP-2010 (also reported as 17-SEP-2010) the patient got the ZOSTAVAX (Merck) vaccination and within less than 24 hours (also reported on 19-SEP-2010) he broke out in painful blisters over the left forehead starting at the top of the scalp and then radiating down to the left side of the nose into the top of the left eyelid. Classic shingles rash with blisters on a red base. He came to the office on 20-SEP-2010 at 4:20 pm. The patient was started on acyclovir 800 mg TID and LYRICA 50 mg TID for the pain. He was referred to an ophthalmologist who saw him on 23-SEP-2010 and did not see any evidence of herpetic in the cornea. He was contacted again on 24-SEP-2010 stated that the pain had diminished. On 14-OCT-2010 said that the blisters had resolved was still experiencing pain at the site of the shingles infection and increased his LYRICA to 50 mg QID. There had been no new complaints. He would return for follow up after Thanksgiving. The physician commented that with his shingles and the trigeminal branch of the face of the left side following the ZOSTAVAX (Merck) vaccination the differential would include coincidental occurrence of shingles following ZOSTAVAX (Merck) vaccination. The timing would indicate would probable causative relationship to the vaccination. The patient's prognosis was good however he is not completely recovered from the neuralgia. Additional information is not expected.