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The incidence of herpes zoster in HIV-infected patients remains elevated, especially in those who have not yet or have only recently started antiretroviral therapy. However, clinical guidelines on the use of the zoster vaccine in HIV-infected patients are conflicting, given the potential risk of exposing people with impaired cell-mediated immunity to the live, attenuated virus in the vaccine. At CROI this year, Constance Benson presented the first prospective clinical trial evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of the zoster vaccine in people with HIV infection [Abstract 96].
A total of 395 adults on stable antiretroviral regimens with CD4 counts >200 cells/mm3 were randomized 3:1 to receive two doses of the zoster vaccine or placebo. Aft…