Shingles vaccination in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: a narrative review

There are several pressing reasons to re-examine shingles and strategies for its prevention through vaccination. Firstly, the UK has recently recommended the introduction of a national childhood varicella vaccination programme, and this may impact the epidemiology of shingles. Secondly, treatments for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases are increasingly targeting immunological pathways essential for antiviral defence. Thirdly, we now have access to a highly efficacious shingles vaccine. This review article will explore each of these developments in a way that is globally relevant, incorporating international recommendations.