Herpes Zoster Following a Nucleoside-Modified Messenger RNA COVID-19 Vaccine

Cutis. 2022 Jan;109(1):E5-E7. doi: 10.12788/cutis.0423.

Abstract

Herpes zoster (HZ) was suspected as a predictive cutaneous manifestation of COVID-19, with a debated prognostic significance. We report a series of 5 cases of HZ occurring after vaccination with a nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty, Pfizer-BioNTech). These new cases do not prove causality between COVID-19 vaccination and HZ. The pathophysiologic mechanism remains elusive, but local vaccine-induced immunomodulation may be involved. The occurrence of HZ does not justify avoiding the second injection of vaccine due to the benefit of vaccination.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19*
  • Herpes Zoster Vaccine* / adverse effects
  • Herpes Zoster* / diagnosis
  • Herpes Zoster* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Nucleosides / adverse effects
  • RNA, Messenger
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Herpes Zoster Vaccine
  • Nucleosides
  • RNA, Messenger