Herpes Zoster Prevention in the Immunocompromised — Featuring Curbside Consults

Overview

Provider Statement

This continuing education activity is provided by 

Support Statement

This educational activity is supported by an educational grant from GSK.

Activity Description

Herpes zoster results from the reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus from sensory ganglia to cause inflammation and cutaneous vesiculation along involved dermatomes. The most common complication, postherpetic neuralgia, is associated with persistent pain that can last up to 1 year. This condition affects approximately 1 in 3 persons over the course of a lifetime and is most common in persons aged ≥50 years. In addition to age-related immunosenescence, immunosuppression–secondary to medical conditions and pharmacotherapy–is the major risk factor for herpes zoster development. The recombinant herpes zoster vaccine is associated with high levels of efficacy and is safe for use in older patients and those who are immunocompromised. Recently published data shows that the vaccine provides lasting protection, up to 10 years following vaccination. However, vaccine uptake remains suboptimal, and the most at-risk patients may be unaware of its potential benefits. In this interactive educational activity, expert faculty review the risk factors and effect of herpes zoster on immunocompromised patients, the evidence supporting the long-term efficacy of herpes zoster vaccines in older or immunocompromised adults, and strategies to overcome vaccine hesitancy. This activity also includes Curbside Consults, which allows participants to engage in case-based scenarios demonstrating best practices in the management of high-risk patients who would benefit from the herpes zoster vaccine. 

Target Audience

The intended audience for this activity is infectious disease specialists, family medicine physicians, internists, pharmacists, nurses, physician associates, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals involved in the management of patients with or at risk for herpes zoster.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

• Review the epidemiology of herpes zoster virus and risk factors associated with its occurrence and recurrence in older adults.
• Detail the effect that herpes zoster virus has on people who are already immunocompromised.
• Examine the latest clinical evidence on the long-term protection achieved with herpes zoster vaccines.
• Address vaccine hesitancy by incorporating effective interprofessional practices, procedures, and the use of shared decision making to improve adherence to prescribed regimens.

Activity Chair

Myron J. Levin, MD
Professor, Pediatrics - Infectious Diseases
Associate Director, Pediatric HIV Clinic
University of Colorado
School of Medicine
Aurora, CO

Faculty

Cassandra Calabrese, DO
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Rheumatology and Infectious Disease
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, OH

Nicole C. Pezzino, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES
Director of PGY1 Community Pharmacy Residency Program
Clinical Pharmacist
Weis Markets
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Director of Community Outreach and Innovation
Wilkes University, Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Barbara P. Yawn, MD, MSc, FAAFP
Adjunct Professor, Department of Family and Community Health
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN

Planners/Reviewers

Ronald A. Codario, MD, EMBA, FACP, FNLA, RPVI, CHCP
Jennifer Frederick, PharmD, BCPS
Linda A. Giarraputo, BS, PA-C
Barbara A. Niedz, PhD, RN, CPHQ

Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, Vindico Medical Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit Designation

Vindico Medical Education designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.75 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

Participants who opt in by providing their ABIM ID and DOB (MM/DD) will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity.

Vindico Medical Education designates this activity for 1.75 nursing contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Vindico Medical Education has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.75 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until December 11, 2024. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

This program is acceptable for 1.75 contact hour of ACPE Continuing Education Credit. The ACPE Universal Program Number is JA0006104-0000-23-036-H01-P, effective 12/12/2023. This is a knowledge-based activity, and there is no fee to attend.

Vindico Medical Education will provide pharmacist credits claimed information directly to the ACPE through CPE Monitor within 30 days.

Nurse practitioners can apply for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). AANPCB will accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ from organizations accredited by ACCME.

This enduring material is approved for 1 year from the date of original release, December 12, 2023, to December 11, 2024.

How to Participate in This Activity and Obtain CE Credit

To participate in this activity, you must read the objectives, answer the polling and pretest questions, view the content, and complete the posttest and evaluation. Provide only one (1) correct answer for each question. A satisfactory score is defined as answering 75% of the posttest questions correctly. If a satisfactory score on the posttest is achieved, Vindico Medical Education will issue an AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ certificate, AAPA Category 1 CME credit certificate, Statement of Continuing Pharmacy Education, or Contact Hour Certificate credit.

Disclosures

Vindico Medical Education adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a continuing education activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others, are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Relationship information is accurate at the time of content development.

Activity Chair and Faculty report the following relevant financial relationship(s)

Cassandra Calabrese, DO
Consultant: AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Sanofi
Speaker Contracted by Ineligible Company: AstraZeneca

Myron J. Levin, MD
Advisor: Curevo, GSK, Merck, Moderna, Pfizer
Clinical Trials: GSK, Moderna, Pfizer

Nicole C. Pezzino, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Barbara P. Yawn, MD, MSc, FAAFP
Advisor: GSK
Consultant: GSK
Independent Research Contractor: GSK
Writing Support: GSK

Planners/Reviewers report the following relevant financial relationship(s)

Ronald A. Codario, MD, EMBA, FACP, FNLA, RPVI, CHCP
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Jennifer Frederick, PharmD, BCPS
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Linda A. Giarraputo, BS, PA-C
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Barbara A. Niedz, PhD, RN, CPHQ
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Vindico Medical Education staff report the following relevant financial relationship(s)

No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Signed disclosures are on file at Vindico Medical Education, Office of Medical Affairs and Compliance.

Unlabeled and Investigational Usage

The audience is advised that this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled uses of FDA-approved products or to products not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. The faculty members have been made aware of their obligation to disclose such usage. All activity participants will be informed if any speakers/authors intend to discuss either non–FDA-approved or investigational use of products/devices.

ADA Compliance

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, we will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate persons with disabilities. A text-based transcript of this lecture is available upon request. Requests should include the activity title and emailed to CME@VindicoCME.com. Requests will be honored within 3 to 5 business days.

Copyright Statement

Created and published by Vindico Medical Education, 6900 Grove Road, Building 100, Thorofare, NJ 08086-9447. Telephone: 856-994-9400; Fax: 856-384-6680. Printed in the USA. Copyright © 2023 Vindico Medical Education. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The material presented at or in any Vindico Medical Education continuing education activity does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Vindico Medical Education. Neither Vindico Medical Education nor the faculty endorse or recommend any techniques, commercial products, or manufacturers. The faculty/authors may discuss the use of materials and/or products that have not yet been approved by the FDA. All readers and continuing education participants should verify all information before treating patients or utilizing any product.

CE Questions?

Contact us at cme@vindicoCME.com