Principal Investigator: Christine Johnston, MD, MPH

Study Description:
The purpose of this study is to learn more about the immune response to the shingles vaccine. Shingles is caused by varicallea zoster virus (VZV) which also causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays in the body in a dormant (inactive) state. For reasons that are not fully understood, the virus can reactivate years later, causing shingles.

The study will enroll persons 50 years of age or older to receive an FDA-approved shingles vaccine. The study will involve 4 clinic visits. All visits will involve blood draws.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Men and women aged 50 or older with a history of chickenpox

Exclusions (conditions which would prevent a volunteer from participating in this study):

• HIV positive, Hepatitis C positive or an active infection with Hepatitis B
• History of shingles
• Impairment of the immune system

Location:
University of Washington Virology Research Clinic
908 Jefferson St, 11th floor
Seattle, WA 98104

Compensation:
$50 per visit