People who are immunocompromised should receive Shingrix to reduce their risk of zoster. To further increase protection, people aged ≥50 years who are household contacts of a person who is, or is expected to become, immunocompromised are recommended to receive a zoster vaccine. This indirectly protects the immunocompromised household member from exposure to varicella-zoster virus. Shingrix is recommended but Zostavax is also acceptable for use. Any person receiving Zostavax should be assessed using the Live zoster vaccine (Zostavax) screening for contraindications tool.
Although Zostavax is a live virus vaccine, the rate of varicella-like rashes from Zostavax is very low. It is unlikely that vaccine-associated virus would be transmitted from a recently vaccinated person to a susceptible immunocompromised contact.25
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
