Herpes zoster: vaccination status and virtuous experiences
Silvia Cocchio1, Tolinda Gallo2, Vincenzo Baldo3
1Unit of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy - silvia.cocchio@unipd.it.
The herpes zoster (HZ) vaccine is effective in older adults, but barriers like distribution and cost hinder its use. Increased education and communication are vital for better HZ vaccination coverage in Italy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Herpes zoster (HZ) is a common viral infection, particularly in the elderly, often leading to complications like post-herpetic neuralgia.
- The live attenuated zoster vaccine (HZV) has been available in Europe since 2006 and in Italy since 2010, with commercial availability in Italy since 2014.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the effectiveness of the HZ vaccine in the elderly population.
- To focus on the Italian vaccination scenario and identify barriers to HZ immunization.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and data on HZ vaccine effectiveness.
- Analysis of the Italian context regarding HZ vaccination recommendations and uptake.
Main Results:
- The HZ vaccine demonstrates effectiveness in preventing HZ and its sequelae in the elderly.
- Vaccination is recommended in Italy for at-risk individuals aged 50+ and all individuals over 64.
Conclusions:
- Despite proven effectiveness, challenges such as vaccine distribution, physician recommendation, and cost impede HZ vaccination coverage.
- Educational and communication strategies are crucial to improve HZ vaccination rates among eligible populations in Italy.
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