Shingles Vaccine and Dementia Prevention

Clinical Implications and Recommendations

• The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that all adults aged 50 and older should receive the 2-dose Shingrix series, regardless of prior shingles history or previous Zostavax vaccination, with 97.2% efficacy against shingles in adults 50+ 1, 2
• The vaccine provides protection maintained above 83.3% for at least 8 years 1, 2
• Shingrix is the preferred vaccine for immunocompromised adults aged 18 and older, with a shortened schedule, and is recommended for patients with solid cancers or hematologic malignancies 1, 3
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that patients on JAK inhibitors or chronic glucocorticoids should complete the full 2-dose Shingrix series before initiating immunosuppressive therapy whenever possible 5, 2
• The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology advises against using live Zostavax in immunocompromised patients, and instead recommends Shingrix, with an expected higher injection-site reactions and systemic symptoms, but no increase in serious adverse events 5, 4, 1, 2