Scientific Committee on COVID-19 and Emerging Pathogens from the Illustrious Official College of Physicians (Ecomen) of Madrid have produced a new report titled, “The Status of Herpes Zoster and Vaccines Against It in 2023” In which evidence has been found of great disparity in the indication and funding criteria of vaccines for this disease in different autonomous communities.
In their analysis, the experts point out that herpes zoster (HZ) infection is an important public health problem, due to its high incidence, which increases with age and it is more common in women And in people with chronic diseases and reduced immunity. in spain, at least 60,000 people develop HZ, And about 3,000 of them are hospitalized for this reason each year. its frequent complications Post herpetic neuropathy (PHN)which is translated Decreased quality of life and disabilityroughly derived pain Fellow.
Discrepancies in Immunization Criteria
in March 2021 Interterritorial Council of the Ministry of Health published a document recommendations Compulsory in all autonomous communities. It establishes age and demographic preference (risk groups to be immunized with HZ vaccine) As guidelines For herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination. However, and according to this Icomen Research Committee, there is no clear explanation of the reason for choosing the age of vaccination; from the age of 65; And not 50, when there is a significant increase in incidence.
“CDC recommends vaccination against HZ for all immunized adults over the age of 50, whether or not they have had a previous episode of HZ and whether or not they have received prior vaccination against varicella”
Emilio BuzaChair of the ICOMEM Scientific Committee on COVID-19 and Emerging Pathogens (CCicp)
Emilio Bauza, President ICOMEN Scientific Committee on COVID-19 and Emerging Pathogens (CCICP), point out that “what the document does include is that it has not been adequately explained why in the general population the sign is established at age 65 and not at age 50, which is when When there is a dramatic turn in the curve of increase of Hz. In fact, thatThe CDC recommends vaccination against HZ for all immunocompetent adults. Over the age of 50, whether or not they have had a previous episode of HZ and whether or not they have received a prior vaccination against chickenpox. that’s why, we should revise the norms Vaccination for herpes zoster from the age of 50 and not from the age of 65”.
According to the Ccipc, more than one in five men and one in four women will suffer from the disease between the ages of 50 and 85, with a 50 percent risk of developing it at age 85. Furthermore, by age 80, it is estimated that Of those with HZ, 33 percent will develop the dreaded and disabling post herpetic neuralgia (PHN)., Therefore, it is concluded that in our country there is no single criterion regarding the population groups to which the vaccine should be administered: Above 65 and above 80 years. This body of Icomen proposes Do not reconsider except in the population aged 70-75in which The incidence is also high.
“We should study similar indications and funding for herpes zoster vaccines in different autonomous communities of our country”
Emilio BuzaChair of the ICOMEM Scientific Committee on COVID-19 and Emerging Pathogens (CCicp)
Finally, PICC analysis shows discrepancies in timing and vaccination in immunosuppressed patients. At the end of November 2022, only Madrid, Catalonia and Asturias implemented vaccination for both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients. (when autoimmune response is appropriate); However six other communities and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla have announced that they will do so during 2023. For booza, it will be necessary to study have the same signal and financing for shingles vaccine in different communities autonomy of our country.
vaccine access
Now Vaccines that can be bought at a pharmacy with a prescription, although not funded by the National Health System (SNS). exceeds the required amount €400, a high cost, which in many cases is not affordable by the population which has been addressed.
are in spain two approved vaccines HZ and its complications, essentially by regulatory and marketing agencies to prevent the onset of PHN. The safety profile of both is good. however, heThe first cannot be administered to the immunocompromisedWhereas The second can be administered to any group of people.
On the other hand, the ICOMEN Scientific Committee on COVID-19 and Emerging Pathogens also emphasizes that the limited information that the population has about the herpes zoster vaccine makes it difficult to vaccinate population groups at risk ages.
