Aging clinical and experimental research
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Herpes zoster (HZ) results from reactivation of varicella zoster virus which has been persistent but clinically latent in dorsal root and cranial nerve ganglia since primary infection, usually as a child, with varicella (chicken pox). HZ affects 20-30% of individuals during their lifetime and up to 50% of those > or =80 years old. Although serious life- or sight-threatening complications occur rarely, postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication. ⋯ The safety profile of the vaccine is good, local soreness at the injection site being the only common adverse event. Health economics studies suggest that vaccination of adults about 60 years of age would be cost effective. Duration of protection following vaccination is the subject of ongoing surveillance, as is the potential benefit of vaccinating younger and sicker members of the population.