Individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, lupus) appear to be at increased risk for
the development of shingles, a painful reactivation of the varicella zoster virus that causes
chicken pox.
The investigators propose to study the immune response to commercially available Zostavax
vaccine (shingles vaccine) in adult patients with SLE who have minimal disease activity and
are on mild immunosuppressant medications, and to compare the immune response to that seen in
healthy people following vaccination. Acceptable immunosuppressive drugs permitted in the
study are those felt to be safe according to Centers for Disease Control guidelines.
Ten healthy people and 10 SLE patients (all over 50 years of age) will be recruited to
receive a single, standard dose of Zostavax. Blood samples and physical examination will be
performed prior to injection, then 2,6,and 12 weeks following vaccination. All participants
will receive active vaccine, there is no placebo group.