Pathogen
Reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) decades after chickenpox.
Patient services
Herpes zoster (shingles)
Source: RKI vaccines A–Z. Patient information, not medical advice.
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Transmission
Shingles itself is not transmissible, but the vesicle content can infect unprotected individuals with chickenpox.
Clinical picture
Painful, unilateral skin rash with blisters along a nerve. Feared: postherpetic neuralgia — nerve pain lasting months to years.
Vaccine protection
Adjuvanted recombinant inactivated vaccine (Shingrix), 2 doses. Efficacy > 90 %.
Who should be vaccinated?
Everyone from age 60. Patients at risk (immunosuppression, COPD, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis): from age 50.
Vaccination schedule (STIKO)
- 1. Dosis (ab 60 J.)
- 2. Dosis — Abstand 2–6 Monate.
Booster: Totimpfstoff Shingrix, 2 Dosen. Keine Auffrischung. Risikopatienten: ab 50 J.
Further information on Herpes zoster (shingles): RKI vaccines A–Z.
