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Original Research
Online Published: 29 Oct 2026
 
RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1154-1158

doi: 10.5455/rmj.20260630031039


Herpes Zoster after COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia: Risk factors and implications for pre-emptive recombinant zoster vaccination

Salim Ali Algaadi, Leen E. Alturki, Fatimah Abdullah Almaymuni, Kothar Zakaria Al Ismael.


Abstract
Objective: To determine the frequency of post-COVID-19 vaccine herpes zoster in Saudi Arabia with demographic and clinical predictors that may increase susceptibility in high-risk groups.
Methodology: This retrospective observational study included 1,544 individuals who received COVID-19 vaccination. We collected data on demographic characteristics, comorbidities, immunosuppressive medication use, and vaccine type. We assessed associations using chi-square tests and used multivariate logistic regression to identify independent predictors of herpes zoster.
Results: Age showed an increasing trend in herpes zoster frequency, rising from 16.5% in the 18–24 age group to 52.2% in the 60–64 age group, although age was not an independent predictor in the adjusted model. Immunosuppressive therapy showed the strongest association, with 73.2% of users developing herpes zoster and an adjusted odds ratio of 6.27 (95 % CI 3.81–10.33). Among those who developed herpes zoster, 44.7% reported it after the first vaccine dose, 33.6% after the second dose, and 21.6% after the third.
Conclusion: Herpes zoster after COVID-19 vaccination is more common in individuals with weakened or altered immune function rather than being uniformly distributed across the population. Diabetes, hypertension, and immunosuppressive therapy are key risk factors.

Key words: COVID-19 vaccine, herpes zoster, hypertension, immunosuppression, recombinant vaccines.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Algaadi SA, Alturki LE, Almaymuni FA, Ismael KZA. Herpes Zoster after COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia: Risk factors and implications for pre-emptive recombinant zoster vaccination. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1154-1158.

doi:10.5455/rmj.20260630031039

Web Style

Algaadi SA, Alturki LE, Almaymuni FA, Ismael KZA. Herpes Zoster after COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia: Risk factors and implications for pre-emptive recombinant zoster vaccination. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=326194 [Access: November 11, 2026].

doi:10.5455/rmj.20260630031039

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Algaadi SA, Alturki LE, Almaymuni FA, Ismael KZA. Herpes Zoster after COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia: Risk factors and implications for pre-emptive recombinant zoster vaccination. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1154-1158.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260630031039

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Algaadi SA, Alturki LE, Almaymuni FA, Ismael KZA. Herpes Zoster after COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia: Risk factors and implications for pre-emptive recombinant zoster vaccination. RMJ. (2026), [cited November 11, 2026]; 51(4): 1154-1158.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260630031039

Harvard Style

Algaadi, S. A., Alturki, . L. E., Almaymuni, . F. A. & Ismael, . K. Z. A. (2026) Herpes Zoster after COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia: Risk factors and implications for pre-emptive recombinant zoster vaccination. RMJ, 51 (4), 1154-1158.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260630031039

Turabian Style

Algaadi, Salim Ali, Leen E. Alturki, Fatimah Abdullah Almaymuni, and Kothar Zakaria Al Ismael. 2026. Herpes Zoster after COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia: Risk factors and implications for pre-emptive recombinant zoster vaccination. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 1154-1158.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260630031039

Chicago Style

Algaadi, Salim Ali, Leen E. Alturki, Fatimah Abdullah Almaymuni, and Kothar Zakaria Al Ismael. "Herpes Zoster after COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia: Risk factors and implications for pre-emptive recombinant zoster vaccination." Rawal Medical Journal 51 (2026), 1154-1158.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260630031039

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Algaadi, Salim Ali, Leen E. Alturki, Fatimah Abdullah Almaymuni, and Kothar Zakaria Al Ismael. "Herpes Zoster after COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia: Risk factors and implications for pre-emptive recombinant zoster vaccination." Rawal Medical Journal 51.4 (2026), 1154-1158. Print.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260630031039

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Algaadi, S. A., Alturki, . L. E., Almaymuni, . F. A. & Ismael, . K. Z. A. (2026) Herpes Zoster after COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia: Risk factors and implications for pre-emptive recombinant zoster vaccination. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 1154-1158.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260630031039

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