Herpes Zoster Post Covid-19 Vaccination

Aim: To find out association of herpes zoster and changes in disease course like incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia with Covid-19 vaccination. Study design: Cross-sectional, observational study. Place and duration of study: Outpatient Department of Dermatology, CMH and PEMH Rawalpindi from 1st January 2021 to 30th September 2021. Methodology: Seventy three patients presenting with herpes zoster selected by convenience sampling after their verbal and written consent. Demographics, Covid-19 vaccination history, type of vaccination, dermatome effected, co-morbids and presence of post herpetic neuralgia were recorded in them. Results: Mean age of participants was 48.09 +/- 15.73 years with 50 (68.5%) were males and 23 (31.5%) were females. 33 (45.2%) were vaccinated and 36 (49.3%) were non-vaccinated against covid-19. Maximum patients were vaccinated with Sinopharm i.e. 19(57.6%).8 (24.2%) patients developed the lesions after first dose and 25(75.8%) after 2nd dose of vaccination. Conclusion: Herpes zoster risk is increased with covid-19 vaccination.