Can someone who has had surgery for myocardial infarction receive the herpes vaccine?

In general, whether patients who have undergone surgery for myocardial infarction can receive the herpes zoster vaccine should be determined based on a comprehensive assessment of postoperative recovery and cardiac function stability. If any discomfort occurs, medical advice should be sought promptly. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Patients who have recovered well after surgery and have stable cardiac function may receive the herpes zoster vaccine following joint evaluation by a cardiologist and a vaccination specialist. These individuals typically have fully healed surgical wounds, no symptoms such as chest tightness or chest pain, and normal cardiac function indicators. Their underlying conditions are effectively controlled with standard medication. Before vaccination, it is essential to provide a detailed medical history and current medication list to ensure there is no interaction between the vaccine components and ongoing treatments. After vaccination, a 30-minute observation period is recommended to monitor for any adverse reactions.

Patients with poor postoperative recovery or unstable cardiac function should not receive the herpes zoster vaccine. For example, those still experiencing frequent angina, heart failure, high heart function classification (e.g., NYHA Class III–IV), or those currently suffering from acute conditions such as infection or fever, should delay vaccination. Administering the vaccine in these cases may increase cardiac workload and trigger fluctuations in their condition. Such patients should first stabilize their heart condition and reconsider vaccination only when their health status meets medical evaluation criteria.

Vaccination against herpes zoster in patients after myocardial infarction requires individualized assessment, with emphasis on cardiac stability and postoperative recovery. Recombinant vaccines are considered safer than live-attenuated vaccines, and patients are advised to choose an appropriate timing for vaccination under medical guidance.