Safety of the Recombinant Herpes-Zoster Subunit Vaccine in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Patients

After allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT), varicella zoster virus (VZV) necessitates long term chemoprophylaxis due to limitations of the live vaccine. The recombinant subunit vaccine containing VZV glycoprotein E with AS01B adjuvant system (HZ/su, or Shingrix) has safety and efficacy data after autologous transplantation. However, data is absent in the setting of allogeneic SCT. Due to the highly immunogenic AS01b subunit component, concerns regarding stimulation of graft versus host disease (GVHD) reaction have prompted some institutions to avoid routine HZ/su vaccination early after SCT.
Source: Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation - Category: Hematology Authors: Tags: 524 Source Type: research