When zoster hits close to home: Impact of personal zoster awareness on zoster vaccine uptake in the U.S.

U.S. zoster vaccine uptake has been sluggish. Most adults are aware of zoster but unaware of its distressing manifestations. We found that vaccine uptake is markedly increased immediately following occurrence of zoster in a spouse. Thus, personal zoster awareness can prompt vaccination. Our findings have implications in terms of both vaccine promotion and interpretations of vaccine performance.