Kenneth Edwin Schmader, MD

Dr. Schmader’s areas of research include herpes zoster, infections, and vaccines in older adults.  He conducts translational, clinical trials and observational studies of herpes zoster, influenza, pneumococcal and respiratory syncytial vaccines and other infections funded by grants from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), VA Office of Research and Development, and Industry sources.  He has played a pivotal role in the development of zoster vaccines in older adults.  Dr. Schmader also performs research in medications and older adults, focusing on pharmacoepidemiology, optimal drug use and reduction of adverse drug reactions.

He is the Director of the NIA-funded P30 Duke Pepper Older Americans Independence Center and Co-PI of the NIAID funded Vaccine and Therapeutics Effectiveness Unit (VTEU) at Duke.  He serves on the Working Groups for the Herpes Zoster, Influenza, and General Adult Immunization Guidelines for the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and is the American Geriatrics Society liaison to the ACIP.