EE396 Public Health Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Herpes Zoster Vaccination for Older Adults in the Netherlands

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox in children, and subsequently establishes a latent infection in dorsal root ganglia in the spinal cord. Decades later, it may reactivate, causing herpes zoster (HZ), a painful dermatomal skin rash ( “shingles”), in adults and especially in older individuals. Reactivation of latent VZV is mostly due to immunosenescence, i.e., an age-related functional decline of the immune system. A potential complication linked to HZ is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), characterised by neuropathic pain which c an last for months or years.
Source: Value in Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Source Type: research