Herpes zoster vaccination in systemic lupus erythematosus: the current status

Among the inflammatory rheumatic diseases, SLE is associated with the highest risk of herpes zoster reactivation relative to age. The reported incidence of herpes zoster infection in SLE ranges from 6.4 to 91.4/1000 patient-years, with main risk factors being major organ disease, immunosuppressive and biological therapies. Although herpes zoster in SLE is manageable with anti-viral treatment, complications such as superimposed bacterial infection, post-herpetic neuralgia may ensue. The low rate of herpes zoster vaccination in SLE is related to the lack of awareness, fear of the risk of vaccine-induced infection and disease flare, cost, as well as the lack of explicit recommendations of vaccine use for the paucity of data in immunocompromised and younger subjects. The recent availability of the non-live subunit and inactivated herpes zoster vaccines has provided more opportunities for SLE patients to be protected against this viral infection. More clinical trials are clearly needed in SLE to confirm safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of the herpes zoster vaccines.