The Looming Rash of Herpes Zoster and the Challenge of Adult Immunization
Authors: James G. Donahue
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2010)

Editorials4 May 2010The Looming Rash of Herpes Zoster and the Challenge of Adult ImmunizationJames G. Donahue, DVM, PhD and Edward A. Belongia, MDJames G. Donahue, DVM, PhDFrom Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, Marshfield, WI 54449.Search for more papers by this author and Edward A. Belongia, MDFrom Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, Marshfield, WI 54449.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-152-9-201005040-00011 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Herpes zoster is getting a lot of attention these days: A Google search on this topic will generate more than 1.3 million hits. There is good reason for this interest. At some point during their life, approximately 30% of people will develop herpes zoster, more commonly known as “shingles” (1). In raw numbers, approximately 1 million people in the United States are affected with herpes zoster every year (2). That number can be expected to increase because the risk for herpes zoster increases as cell-mediated immunity declines with advancing age, and an ever-increasing number of baby boomers are entering the ...References1. Yawn BP, Saddier P, Wollan PC, StSauver JL, Kurland MJ, Sy LS. A population-based study of the incidence and complication rates of herpes zoster before zoster vaccine introduction. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007;82:1341-9. [PMID: 17976353] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles Disease - Questions and Answers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/dis-faqs.htm on 9 February 2010. Google Scholar3. Administration on Aging. Aging Statistics. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services; 2010. Google Scholar4. 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[PMID: 10550040] MedlineGoogle Scholar12. Hinman AR, Orenstein WA. Adult immunization: what can we learn from the childhood immunization program? [Editorial]. Clin Infect Dis. 2007;44:1532-5. [PMID: 17516394] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar13. Orenstein WA, Mootrey GT, Pazol K, Hinman AR. Financing immunization of adults in the United States. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2007;82:764-8. [PMID: 17971821] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar14. Levi J, Schaffner W, Cimons M, Guidos R, Segal LM. Adult Immunization: Shots to Save Lives. Washington, DC: Trust for America's Health; 2010. Google Scholar15. American College of Physicians. Infectious Diseases Society of America. ACP-IDSA Joint Statement Regarding Adult Vaccination by Physicians. Arlington, VA: Infectious Diseases Society of America; 2008. Google Scholar16. Infectious Diseases Society of America. IDSA Issues Policy Blueprint to Strengthen Adult and Adolescent Immunization. Accessed at www.idsociety.org/adultimmunization.htm on 22 March 2010. Google Scholar17. Immunization Work Group of the National and Global Public Health Committee of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Actions to strengthen adult and adolescent immunization coverage in the United States: policy principles of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2007;44:104-8. [PMID: 17516388] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar18. Gilderman LI, Lawless JF, Nolen TM, Sterling T, Rutledge RZ, Fernsler DA, et al; Zostavax Protocol 010 Study Group. A double-blind, randomized, controlled, multicenter safety and immunogenicity study of a refrigerator-stable formulation of Zostavax. Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2008;15:314-9. [PMID: 18077611] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, Marshfield, WI 54449.Disclosures: None disclosed. Forms can also be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M10-0475.Corresponding Author: James G. Donahue, DVM, PhD, Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, 1000 North Oak Avenue, ML-2, Marshfield, WI 54449; e-mail, donahue.[email protected]mfldclin.edu.Current Author Addresses: Drs. Donahue and Belongia: Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, 1000 North Oak Avenue, ML-2, Marshfield, WI 54449. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoSafety of Herpes Zoster Vaccine in the Shingles Prevention Study Michael S. Simberkoff , Robert D. Arbeit , Gary R. Johnson , Michael N. Oxman , Kathy D. Boardman , Heather M. Williams , Myron J. Levin , Kenneth E. Schmader , Lawrence D. Gelb , Susan Keay , Kathleen Neuzil , Richard N. Greenberg , Marie R. Griffin , Larry E. Davis , Vicki A. Morrison , Paula W. Annunziato , and Barriers to the Use of Herpes Zoster Vaccine Laura P. Hurley , Megan C. Lindley , Rafael Harpaz , Shannon Stokley , Matthew F. Daley , Lori A. Crane , Fran Dong , Brenda L. Beaty , Litjen Tan , Christine Babbel , L. Miriam Dickinson , and Allison Kempe Metrics Cited ByVacunas frente al virus de la varicela zósterSafety of zoster vaccine in adults from a large managed-care cohort: a Vaccine Safety Datalink studyFamily history and herpes zoster risk in the era of shingles vaccinationContacts with children and young people and adult risk of suffering herpes zoster 4 May 2010Volume 152, Issue 9Page: 609-611KeywordsAdolescentsAnestheticsAntidepressantsChildrenHealth careMedicareQuality of lifeSafetyVaccines ePublished: 4 May 2010 Issue Published: 4 May 2010 CopyrightCopyright © 2010 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...