What is the best time to vaccinate a patient who requires immunosuppression?

Timing of vaccination should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. When possible, patients should be vaccinated before becoming immunosuppressed. If vaccination before initiating immunosuppressive treatment is feasible, a shortened interval of 4 weeks between doses 1 and 2 may be considered. If vaccination before immunosuppression is not possible, providers should consider timing vaccination when the immune response is likely to be most robust.

For additional information about timing of vaccination and specific conditions, see CDC’s Clinical Considerations for the Use of Recombinant Zoster Vaccines in Immunocompromised Adults Aged ≥ 19 Years: www.cdc.gov/shingles/vaccination/immunocompromised-adults.html#clinical-guidance.