Persistence of Varicella-Zoster Virus Cell-Mediated Immunity After the Administration of a Second Dose of Live Herpes Zoster Vaccine.

Weinberg, Adriana; Popmihajlov, Zoran; Schmader, Kenneth E; Johnson, Michael J; Caldas, Yupanqui; Salazar, Adriana Tovar; Canniff, Jennifer; McCarson, Barbara J et al. · J Infect Dis · 2019

prospective_cohort · Level II

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Abstract

Protection against zoster conferred by zoster vaccine live (ZVL; Zostavax) wanes over time. We compared varicella-zoster virus cell-mediated immunity (VZV-CMI) of adults ≥70 years who received a second dose of ZVL ≥10 years after the initial dose with de novo-immunized age-matched controls. Before and during the first year after vaccination, VZV-CMI was significantly higher in reimmunized compared with de novo vaccinees. At 3 years, VZV-CMI differences between groups decreased and only memory responses remained marginally higher in reimmunized participants. In conclusion, the increase in VZV-CMI generated by reimmunization with ZVL is at least equally persistent compared with de novo immunization.

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