Gardasil-9 → Chickenpox → Herpes Zoster
🌟 Dermatology-Related Vaccines – Patient Information
Vaccines play an important role in preventing several viral diseases that affect the skin, nerves, and immune system.
Below is simple information for patients.
1️⃣ Gardasil-9 Vaccine (HPV Vaccine)
What does it protect against?
Gardasil-9 protects against 9 types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV can cause:
- Genital warts
- Cervical cancer
- Vaginal & vulvar cancer
- Anal cancer
- Some throat cancers
- Penile cancer in men
Who should take it?
- Girls & Boys: 9–26 years (ideal age: 11–12 years)
- Adults 27–45 years can take after doctor’s advice
- Both men and women benefit
- Especially important for those with genital warts or HPV infection risk
Dosage Schedule
- 2 doses (for 9–14 years): 0 and 6 months
- 3 doses (15–45 years): 0, 2 months, 6 months
Benefits
- Prevents genital warts
- Prevents HPV-linked cancers
- Safe, effective, long-term protection
2️⃣ Chickenpox Vaccine (Varicella Vaccine)
What does it prevent?
The varicella vaccine prevents chickenpox, a highly contagious viral skin disease.
Who should take it?
- Children
- Adults who never had chickenpox
- Healthcare workers
- People with repeated exposure risk
- Women planning pregnancy (take BEFORE pregnancy)
Dosage
- 2 doses, 4–8 weeks apart
- For children: at 12–15 months and 4–6 years
Benefits
- Prevents chickenpox infection
- Reduces severe disease
- Prevents complications like scarring & bacterial infection
3️⃣ Herpes Zoster Vaccine (Shingles Vaccine)
What does it prevent?
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) occurs due to reactivation of the chickenpox virus in nerves, causing:
- Painful rash
- Burning
- Long-term nerve pain (post-herpetic neuralgia)
Who should take it?
- Adults 50 years and older
- People with weak immunity
- Patients with repeated shingles
Types of Zoster Vaccines
- Shingrix (preferred, non-live) – 2 doses
- Zostavax (live vaccine) – 1 dose (less commonly used now)
Benefits
- Strong protection
- Prevents long-lasting nerve pain
- Helps older adults maintain quality of life
4️⃣ MMR Vaccine (Measles-Mumps-Rubella)
Used in dermatology because these viruses cause:
- Measles rash
- Rubella rash
- Mumps complications
Who needs it?
- Children
- Adults without documented vaccination
- Healthcare workers
Doses
- 2 doses at least 28 days apart
5️⃣ Hepatitis B Vaccine
Important for dermatology because Hepatitis B spreads through blood and body fluids.
Who should take it?
- Healthcare workers
- Patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatments (e.g., for psoriasis, pemphigus)
- Adults not previously vaccinated
Doses
- 3 doses: 0, 1 month, 6 months
7️⃣ Tdap / Tetanus Vaccine
Given for skin injuries, cuts, lacerations, burns.
Schedule
- Every 10 years
- After major injury if last dose >5 years
8️⃣ Influenza Vaccine
Important for patients on immunosuppressive drugs (psoriasis, vitiligo, pemphigus, lupus).
Doses
- Yearly once
- Especially adults >50 years or with chronic illness
🌟 Summary for Patients
Dermatology-related vaccines help prevent:
- Viral skin infections
- Genital warts
- Chickenpox & shingles
- Rashes and post-infection complications
- Infections during immunosuppressive therapy
- Serious systemic diseases
Vaccination is safe, effective, and long-term protection for adults & children.