Recombinant zoster vaccine exposure ups risk of ophthalmic zoster recurrence

For people with a history of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO), the likelihood of HZO recurrence increases upon exposure to recombinant zoster vaccine, as shown in a retrospective study.

Researchers used medical and outpatient pharmacy claims data for commercial and Medicare Advantage enrolees from the Optum Labs Data Warehouse. In total, 16,408 patients with HZO were identified, among whom 12,762 were unvaccinated and 3,646 were vaccinated (at least one dose of recombinant zoster vaccine more than 90 days following the initial HZO diagnosis).

The vaccinated and unvaccinated groups had a mean age of 67.4 and 68.8 years at diagnosis, respectively, with 62.2 percent and 61.2 percent of participants being women.

Within the primary risk period of 56 days after the index date, HZO recurrence occurred more frequently in the vaccinated group than in the unvaccinated group (incidence rate, 37.7 vs 26.2 per 1,000 person-years).

Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models showed that exposure to any recombinant zoster vaccine dose was associated with a 64-percent increased risk of HZO exacerbation in the primary risk period (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.64, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.01–2.67; p=0.04).

These findings highlight the potential benefit of monitoring individuals with a history of HZO after receiving recombinant zoster vaccine.