Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Infection Following COVID-19 Vaccination: An Association or Coincidence?
Shoaib Kazi *
Qatar University Health Center, Primary Health Care Corporation Qatar, Qatar.
Mohamed Abdelhamid
Qatar University Health Center, Primary Health Care Corporation Qatar, Qatar.
Alanoud Al Fehaidi
Qatar University Health Center, Primary Health Care Corporation Qatar, Qatar.
Ehab Said Hamed
Qatar University Health Center, Primary Health Care Corporation Qatar, Qatar.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Since early 2020, and till early 2022 the world suffered COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to medical science for developing a fast track and effective COVID-19 vaccine which is aimed to reduce the infection rates and provide sufficient immunity. Clinicians worldwide are monitoring possible side effects and adverse events of the different COVID-19 Vaccines. In this case series, we report 4 cases of Herpes Zoster infection noted in patients after having COVID-19 vaccine including Pfizer, Moderna and Sinopharm Vaccines.
Discussion and Conclusion: We present 4 patients who were reviewed in the outpatient clinics presenting with an erythematous, painful, blistering, unilateral rash which was typical of Herpes Zoster infection following COVID-19 vaccination. They were between 23-54 years of age and had no significant past medical history. We suspect the eruption of Herpes Zoster rash is likely linked to COVID-19 vaccination. However, this could also be a mere coincidence. Further research is needed to establish a proven link.
Keywords: COVID-19, vaccine, shingles, herpes zoster, adverse events