NEPA Vital Signs - Winter Spring 2018 - 9

WINTER/ SPRING 2018

Feature

of shingles, the efficacy of the vaccine may be reduced. The
general recommendation for any vaccine is to wait until the
illness is over and symptoms cease. It may be advised to
delay administration of the the zoster vaccination between 6
to 12 months after the shingles has resolved. This will allow
a better chance for the vaccine to produce a more effective
boost to immunity.

Q? Is it necessary to be tested for
chicken pox exposure before getting
the varicella zoster vaccine? 3
No. Unless a patient has a medical contraindication, all
patients aged 60 years and older should receive the zoster
vaccine, regardless of whether or not they have a history of
chickenpox of shingles.

Q? Which vaccines can be safely
administered in patients with
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
Patients with MS can safely receive any inactivated vaccine
such as pneumococcal, Tdap, and influenza with the exception
of the high dose influenza, which should be avoided in these
patients. All live vaccines should be avoided in these patients
with the exception of Zostavax, which can be administered
to MS patients. 

RICHARD L. WEINBERGER, D.O. is an internist in Archbald.
D. TROMBETTA, PHARM.D., Co-author
J. FOX, PHARM.D. CANDIDATE, Co-author 
G. MCFARLANE, PHARM.D. CANDIDATE, Co-author
N E PA

9

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NEPA Vital Signs - Winter Spring 2018

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