Shingrix is a new shingles vaccine that is known to be much more effective than the previous generation shingles vaccine (Zostavax). However, a new article in the newsletter MedPage Today notes that the efficacy and safety of Shingrix has not been established among patients with autoimmune diseases. While Shingrix was studied in patients with cancer and HIV, it was not tested in patients with autoimmune diseases because of concerns that one component of the vaccine might kick up the immune system, potentially leading to flares in patients with diseases like lupus, according to the article.
You can read the full article here: MedPage Today: Shingles Vaccine and Autoimmune Diseases.
If you are considering getting the new Shingrix vaccine, you may want to first discuss this with your doctor.
Note: link shared with permission from MedPage Today.