[Expert consensus on vaccination for herpes zoster (2026 edition)].

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a skin disease caused by the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in the body, clinically characterized by a unilateral vesicular rash distributed along the affected dermatomes. It commonly occurs in older adults and immunocompromised individuals. With the acceleration of global population aging, the incidence of HZ has significantly increased, showing a trend toward younger age groups and a high risk of complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which imposes a heavy health and economic burden on patients and society. In recent years, China has made remarkable progress in the development and application of HZ vaccines, particularly with the approval and use of the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) and the zoster vaccine live (ZVL), which are of great significance for the prevention of HZ and its complications. To further standardize HZ vaccination strategies, the Varicella and Herpes Zoster Prevention and Control Branch of the China Association for Vaccines organized national experts in virology, immunology, infectious diseases, geriatrics, and preventive medicine to formulate this consensus based on evidence-based medical evidence and clinical practice experience. This consensus systematically elaborates on the disease burden of HZ, vaccine efficacy and safety, vaccination strategies, recommendations for special populations, and other aspects, aiming to provide scientific and standardized guidance for clinicians and public health workers, and to promote widespread vaccination against HZ in adults and the prevention and control of the disease.