Overview

• The Ministry of Health has contraindicated the live-attenuated zoster vaccine in immunocompromised patients and limited the recombinant formulation to transplant recipients and people living with HIV.
• Despite the availability of antivirals and two vaccines, uptake remains inconsistent across regions and among high-risk groups.
• Confusion with other skin conditions is delaying clinical diagnosis of shingles, increasing the likelihood of prolonged neuropathic pain.
• Specialists emphasize starting antiviral therapy within 72 hours of rash onset to maximize treatment effectiveness.
• Dermatologists and public health experts are calling for updated hospital protocols, continuous medical training and targeted prevention campaigns to close care gaps.