Khan N, et al. – Researchers planned this study to ascertain the safety of giving herpes zoster vaccine while inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients were on anti–TNF therapy. They proposed that in patients who were taking anti–TNF medications, co–administering the herpes zoster vaccine was relatively safe. This research significantly expanded the evidence supporting the use of herpes zoster vaccine in this population, having included an elderly group of patients with a high Charlson Comorbidity Index who were likely at a much higher risk of developing herpes zoster (HZ).

• Between 2001 and 2016, the researchers performed a retrospective cohort study involving IBD patients who were followed in the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system.
• They identified patients who received herpes zoster vaccine while on anti-TNF medication through vaccination codes and confirmed through individual chart review.
• The outcome of interest was development of HZ between 0 and 42 days after herpes zoster vaccine administration.

• In the VA healthcare system, 56417 patients with IBD were followed.
• When they were given herpes zoster vaccine, 59 individuals were on anti-TNF medication, and amongst them, 12 (20%) were also taking a thiopurine.
• At the time of herpes zoster vaccine, median age was 64.9 years and 95% of patients had a Charlson Comorbidity Index of ≥2.
• After receiving herpes zoster vaccine, median number of encounters within 42 days was 2.
• The researchers found no case of HZ within 0-42 days of HZV administration.