People aged ≥50 years who are household contacts of a person who is immunocompromised are recommended to receive zoster vaccine
People ≥50 years of age who are household contacts of a person who is, or is expected to become, immunocompromised are recommended to receive zoster vaccine. This indirectly protects the immunocompromised household member from exposure to varicella-zoster virus (VZV). However, because the efficacy of zoster vaccine is around 40–65%, the vaccinated household member may still develop herpes zoster from wild-type VZV.
The rate of VZV-like rashes from the vaccine virus is very low. It is unlikely that vaccine-associated virus would be transmitted from a recently vaccinated person to a susceptible immunocompromised contact.1
If a vaccinated person develops a varicella- or zoster-like rash, they should:
- cover the rash
- avoid contact with people who are immunocompromised until the rash clears
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Printed content may be out of date. For up to date information, always refer to the digital version: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/recommendations/people-aged-50-years-who-are-household-contacts-of-a-person-who-is-immunocompromised.