Herpes Zoster Cases Following COVID-19 Vaccination Tracked by Researchers

Strategic Insights -

A series of five cases of Herpes Zoster occurring after vaccination with a nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine has been reported by researchers at the Hospital Center University of Lille. The cases do not establish causality between COVID-19 vaccination and Herpes Zoster, but local vaccine-induced immunomodulation may be involved. The research emphasizes that the occurrence of Herpes Zoster does not justify avoiding the second injection of vaccine due to the benefit of vaccination.

Key Takeaways:

  • Five cases of Herpes Zoster were reported to occur after vaccination with a nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty, Pfizer-BioNTech).
  • The research was conducted at the Hospital Center University of Lille in Lille, France.
  • The pathophysiologic mechanism of Herpes Zoster following COVID-19 vaccination remains elusive, but local vaccine-induced immunomodulation may be involved.
  • The occurrence of Herpes Zoster does not justify avoiding the second injection of vaccine due to the benefit of vaccination.
  • Frederic Dezoteux and his team conducted the research and published their findings in Cutis, a peer-reviewed journal.
  • The research involved the collaboration of several authors, including Edouard Massip, Pierre Marcant, Delphine Staumont-Salle, Annie Sobaszek, Marie Charlotte Chopin, and Fanny Vuotto.

Statistics:

  • 5 cases of Herpes Zoster occurred after vaccination with a nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine.
  • The research was conducted at the Hospital Center University of Lille in Lille, France.
  • The pathophysiologic mechanism of Herpes Zoster following COVID-19 vaccination is still being researched.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Study Data from Hospital Center University of Lille Update Knowledge of COVID-19 (Herpes Zoster Following a Nucleoside-modified Messenger Rna Covid-19 Vaccine). Vaccine Weekly. March 23, 2022; p 810.
  • Herpes Zoster Following a Nucleoside-modified Messenger Rna Covid-19 Vaccine. Cutis, 2022;109(1):1-3.