JAMA: 2011-01-12, Vol. 305, No. 2, Author in the Room™ Audio Interview

Interview with Steven J. Jacobsen, MD, PhD, author of Herpes Zoster Vaccine in Older Adults and the Risk of Subsequent Herpes Zoster Disease. Summary Points: 1. The findings suggest that the zoster vaccine is as effective in a community setting with its mixed population and routine clinical practices as was found in the controlled clinical trials. 2. To date, the uptake of the zoster vaccine has been modest due to a number of reasons, including weaknesses in the adult vaccine infrastructure, knowledge and beliefs of clinicians and patients, periodic supply shortfalls, as well as financial reasons. 3. Because zoster and its attendant neurologic complication of postherpetic neuralgia are common and serious among the elderly, it seems prudent to recommend zoster vaccine. The potential impact of vaccination on the burden of the disease in this population is significant.