Herpes After 3rd COVID-19 Vaccine in Cancer Patients: Journal 'Clinical and Experimental Medicine'
"These findings provide the first evidence that cancer patients on active treatment have a not negligible risk of developing HZ within 30 days after the third dose of [Pfizer jab]," the study reads.
A study published Friday in the peer-reviewed journal Clinical and Experimental Medicine confirmed multiple cases of herpes zoster (HZ) in cancer patients who received three doses of the COVID-19 mRNA shot.
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HZ, commonly known as shingles, is a viral infection characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters.
“Several concerns have been raised about a causal relationship between COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccines and the development of herpes zoster (HZ),” the study reads.
The Italian researchers investigated the incidence of HZ after the third dose of mRNA-Pfizer Inc.’s BNT162b2 mRNA shot and its correlation with immune responses.
They looked at patients who had received a booster dose and had been actively receiving cancer treatment for at least 8 weeks.
“The current analysis included 310 patients, of whom 109 (35.2%) and 111 (35.8%) were being treated with targeted therapies and cytotoxic chemotherapy, respectively,” the authors write. “All participants received a third dose of [Pfizer’s shot] between September 26 and October 30, 2021.”
The researchers found HZ occurred in 8 recipients, “for a cumulative incidence of 2.6%, and an incidence rate of 0.310 per person-year (95% CI 0.267-0.333).”
All HZ cases occurred within 30 days of booster dosing, with a median time to onset of 15 days.
“These findings provide the first evidence that cancer patients on active treatment have a not negligible risk of developing HZ within 30 days after the third dose of [the Pfizer jab],” the study authors confirm.
The authors’ affiliations include:
Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Strada Sammartinese Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
Biostatistics Unit, Scientific Directorate, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Citofluorimetry Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Medicine, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
Microbiology and Virology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
You can download the full study below:
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I knew someone who ended up with lymphatic vessels in his esophagus! Post vax. This case I believe is in a medical journal!