The risk of Herpes Zoster infection after COVID-19 immunization
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on November 21st, 2022
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Due to the controversial nature of COVID-19 and immunization, the public has an intense interest toward its adverse events. At the same time, there has been an increase in the number of herpes zoster viral infections reported. It is uncertain if there is an actual increase in risk, or this higher rate of detection is due hypervigilance. A recent study had improved our understanding about the safety profile of the COVID-19 vaccine by analyzing its relationship with Herpes Zoster infection
The study was conducted using a self-controlled risk interval design and included 2,039,854 individuals who received a COVID-19 vaccine. Herpes zoster incidence happens within 30 days after the 1st dose was registered for the risk interval. Cases were counted as happening during the control interval if they happened between 60 and 90 days after last vaccination; thus, this creates a 30-day washout period. Comparison between the control and risk interval shows that COVID-19 vaccination does not increase the risk of herpes zoster infection. Subgroup analysis was also performed to gauge the infection association with age, immunocompetency, and type of COVID-19 used; of which, risk is lower in those who have received the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine. Comparison was also made with incidence after influenza immunization; this was done using a cohort of data recorded early in the pandemic. Risk of herpes zoster infection is similar between COVID-19 vaccination and influenza immunization conducted early in the pandemic.
The study was conducted using a self-controlled risk interval design and included 2,039,854 individuals who received a COVID-19 vaccine. Herpes zoster incidence happens within 30 days after the 1st dose was registered for the risk interval. Cases were counted as happening during the control interval if they happened between 60 and 90 days after last vaccination; thus, this creates a 30-day washout period. Comparison between the control and risk interval shows that COVID-19 vaccination does not increase the risk of herpes zoster infection. Subgroup analysis was also performed to gauge the infection association with age, immunocompetency, and type of COVID-19 used; of which, risk is lower in those who have received the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine. Comparison was also made with incidence after influenza immunization; this was done using a cohort of data recorded early in the pandemic. Risk of herpes zoster infection is similar between COVID-19 vaccination and influenza immunization conducted early in the pandemic.