In which group of patients is Zostavax contraindicated?

Zostavax, which is a live attenuated vaccine for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster), is contraindicated in certain patient populations to ensure safety and effectiveness. The vaccine is specifically contraindicated in individuals with a current or historical diagnosis of shingles. This group already has active varicella zoster virus present, and administering the live vaccine could potentially exacerbate the existing condition or lead to vaccine-related complications.

While adults over 60 years of age are actually the primary target group for vaccination, and patients allergic to eggs or undergoing chemotherapy may require special considerations but are not outright contraindications for receiving Zostavax, patients with a history of shingles would not only not benefit from the vaccine but could also face health risks. Therefore, understanding the patient’s history with herpes zoster is crucial in determining the appropriateness of Zostavax vaccination.