Translation of a-t 2020; 51: 30-1
 

IN BRIEF

Varicella-zoster virus reactivation after vaccination with SHINGRIX?

In August 2019 the Drug Commission of the German Medical Association (Arzneimittelkommission der deutschen Ärzteschaft, AkdÄ) reported in a memo on the development of herpes zoster and pronounced, in some cases bullous skin reactions shortly after vaccinations with the varicella-zoster inactivated vaccine SHINGRIX (a-t 2019; 50: 85-6). As a result of "numerous suspected cases reported", the competent German higher federal authority, the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI), is now calling for participation in an observational study. The aim of this study is to clarify whether reactivations of the varicella-zoster virus are a potential harmful effect of the vaccine, which is actually intended to prevent herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. If doctors suspect this to be the case for one of their patients, they should contact the PEI to document the reports and obtain samples of the contents of the blisters to be tested for varicella and herpes viruses. The PEI will compensate doctors for their costs (1). In the message from the authority we are missing additional information on the severity and number of reports received, -Ed.

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