Should an adult who has received the varicella vaccine receive Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine) before starting tofacitinib, and how should it be timed?

Shingrix Vaccination for Adults Starting Tofacitinib After Prior Varicella Vaccination

All adults aged ≥19 years who are starting tofacitinib should receive the full 2-dose Shingrix series before initiating therapy, regardless of prior varicella vaccination status, with the second dose given 1–2 months after the first dose and tofacitinib started ≥4 weeks after completing the vaccine series. 1, 2

Rationale for Universal Shingrix Vaccination

Prior varicella vaccination does not eliminate the need for Shingrix. Adults who received the chickenpox vaccine in childhood remain at risk for herpes zoster because the vaccine establishes latent VZV infection in dorsal root ganglia, which can later reactivate as shingles. 1, 3 The recombinant zoster vaccine is specifically designed to boost cell-mediated immunity against VZV reactivation, not to prevent primary varicella infection. 4

Tofacitinib dramatically amplifies herpes zoster risk through JAK1/2 inhibition, which impairs interferon-γ signaling and cellular cytotoxicity against viral pathogens. 2 Real-world data show herpes zoster rates approaching 3% in patients on JAK inhibitors, making pre-emptive vaccination essential. 2

Optimal Vaccination Timeline

For Elective Tofacitinib Initiation (Preferred Approach)

Complete the full 2-dose Shingrix series before starting tofacitinib to maximize immune response while the patient is not yet immunosuppressed. 2

Step-by-step algorithm:

1. Administer first Shingrix dose immediately 2
2. Wait 1–2 months (minimum 4 weeks) 1, 2
3. Administer second Shingrix dose 1, 2
4. Wait ≥4 weeks after the second dose 1
5. Start tofacitinib 1, 2

This approach ensures optimal vaccine response before immunosuppression begins. The shortened 1–2 month interval between doses (rather than the standard 2–6 months for immunocompetent adults) is specifically recommended for adults starting immunosuppressive therapy. 1, 2

For Urgent Tofacitinib Initiation

If disease severity requires urgent therapy, administer at least the first Shingrix dose before starting tofacitinib, then complete the second dose 1–2 months later. 2

Modified algorithm:

1. Administer first Shingrix dose 2
2. Wait 2–3 weeks (balancing disease control with partial vaccine response) 2
3. Start tofacitinib 2
4. Complete second Shingrix dose 1–2 months after the first 1, 2

While immune response may be somewhat reduced when the second dose is given after tofacitinib initiation, this approach provides meaningful protection and is superior to delaying vaccination indefinitely. 2

Why Prior Varicella Vaccination Status Is Irrelevant

Guidelines explicitly recommend Shingrix for all adults ≥19 years starting immunosuppressive therapy, regardless of varicella vaccination history. 1 The key distinction is:

• Varicella vaccine protects against primary chickenpox infection 4
• Shingrix protects against reactivation of latent VZV as herpes zoster 4, 5

Adults who received varicella vaccine have established VZV latency and therefore require zoster vaccination before immunosuppression. 1, 3 Antibody titers are not used to guide zoster vaccination decisions and testing would only delay protection. 2, 3

Critical Safety Considerations

Never Use Live Zoster Vaccine (Zostavax)

Live-attenuated Zostavax is absolutely contraindicated in patients on or about to start tofacitinib. 1, 2 The FDA label for tofacitinib reports a case of disseminated vaccine-strain VZV occurring shortly after Zostavax was given to a patient who had just begun tofacitinib. 4 Only the recombinant Shingrix vaccine is appropriate for this population. 1, 2, 5

Baseline Screening Requirements

Before initiating tofacitinib, complete baseline screening including:

• Hepatitis B and C serologies 2
• Complete blood count with differential 2
• Liver and renal function tests 2
• Lipid panel 2

Expected Vaccine Tolerability

Shingrix causes more injection-site reactions and systemic symptoms than placebo, but these are transient and mild-to-moderate. 5, 6 Grade 3 injection-site reactions occur in 9.5% of recipients (vs. 0.4% with placebo), and systemic symptoms in 11.4% (vs. 2.4% with placebo). 2, 5 Most adverse reactions resolve within approximately 4 days. 2

No serious safety concerns or increased mortality have been identified in large clinical trials. 2, 5 Studies in patients with autoimmune conditions taking immunosuppressive therapy showed only mild disease flares (4–17%) after Shingrix vaccination, with no serious adverse events. 2

Efficacy in Immunocompromised Patients

Shingrix demonstrates 87.2% vaccine efficacy in patients with hematologic malignancies using the 1–2 month dosing interval, establishing proof of concept for efficacy in immunocompromised populations. 2 While specific efficacy data for tofacitinib users are limited, the vaccine maintains effectiveness even in patients on immunosuppressive therapy, though immune response may be somewhat reduced compared to healthy individuals. 2, 7

Breakthrough herpes zoster can still occur despite vaccination (as documented in case reports of patients on tofacitinib who developed shingles after completing Shingrix), but vaccinated individuals generally experience less severe disease and lower rates of post-herpetic neuralgia. 8 The 92% effectiveness in preventing herpes zoster at 3.2 years means approximately 8 out of 100 vaccinated people might still develop shingles. 2

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not delay vaccination to obtain varicella antibody titers. This contradicts guideline recommendations and leaves patients unnecessarily exposed to herpes zoster. 2, 3

• Do not confuse varicella (chickenpox) vaccination with herpes zoster (shingles) vaccination. They address distinct clinical scenarios. 4

• Do not assume that prior varicella vaccination provides protection against herpes zoster. The vaccine establishes latent infection that can later reactivate. 1, 3, 4

• Do not restart the vaccine series if the second dose is delayed beyond 1–2 months. There is no maximum interval; simply complete the second dose as soon as possible. 2

• Do not give live vaccines after tofacitinib has been started. Only inactivated vaccines (including Shingrix) are safe in this setting. 1, 2