What effect will the vaccine have on the future risk of herpes zoster?
Immunological boosting from circulating varicella zoster virus may protect adults from developing shingles. There is concern that this boosting will not occur as the proportion of children being vaccinated increases resulting in a short-to medium-term increase in cases of herpes zoster in adults. This effect has not yet been seen in the USA, although further surveillance will be required. There appears to be a reduced incidence of herpes zoster among immunised people, although the long-term risk is not yet known.
