Reactivation of Varicella Zoster Virus after Vaccination for SARS-CoV-2

Mina Psichogiou; Michael Samarkos; Nikolaos Mikos; Angelos Hatzakis

doi:10.3390/vaccines9060572

Reactivation of Varicella Zoster Virus after Vaccination for SARS-CoV-2

Vaccines (Basel). 2021 Jun 1;9(6):572. doi: 10.3390/vaccines9060572.

Authors

Mina Psichogiou¹, Michael Samarkos¹, Nikolaos Mikos², Angelos Hatzakis³

Affiliations

¹ First Department of Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece.
² Allergology Department, Laiko General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece.
³ Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece.

Abstract

Seven immunocompetent patients aged > 50 years old presented with herpes zoster (HZ) infection in a median of 9 days (range 7-20) after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The occurrence of HZ within the time window 1-21 days after vaccination defined for increased risk and the reported T cell-mediated immunity involvement suggest that COVID-19 vaccination is a probable cause of HZ. These cases support the importance of continuing assessment of vaccine safety during the ongoing massive vaccination for the COVID-19 pandemic and encourage reporting and communication of any vaccination-associated adverse event.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; herpes zoster; mRNA vaccines.