Shingles Vaccination — SCE Dermatology MCQ

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HardCutaneous InfectionShingles VaccinationSCE Dermatology

A 30-year-old woman with recurrent cold sores asks about the Shingrix vaccine. She confuses herpes simplex with herpes zoster. Which virus does Shingrix protect against?

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Correct answer: A — Varicella-zoster virus (herpes zoster prevention)

The best answer is “Varicella-zoster virus (herpes zoster prevention)”. Vaccination status should be reviewed before immunosuppression; indicated live vaccines are given before treatment because they are generally contraindicated during significant immunosuppression, while suitable inactivated vaccines remain usable. The alternatives “Epstein-Barr virus, within an appropriate UK pathway”, “Cytomegalovirus, after clinicopathological correlation”, “Herpes simplex virus 1”, “Herpes simplex virus 2” are clinically adjacent possibilities, but they do not fit the defining morphology, distribution, histopathology, risk signal or management sequence in this stem.

Reference: UK Green Book chapter 6: immunisation and immunosuppression: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/contraindications-and-special-considerations-the-green-book-chapter-6