Preventing herpes zoster through vaccination: New developments.

Herpes zoster (HZ) affects 1 million Americans every year. The disease burden is higher in immunocompromised patients. The live-attenuated HZ vaccine is effective in preventing HZ and postherpetic neuralgia and has been recommended for immunocompetent adults age 60 and older. However, because protection wanes by 10 years, a booster may be necessary. In 2015, an adjuvanted subunit HZ vaccine was shown to reduce incidence by 97%, even in the elderly, but long-term data on vaccine protection are not available. Clinical trials are under way to investigate a safe and effective vaccine for immunocompromised patients.