Concomitant administration of zoster and pneumococcal vaccines in adults ≥60 years old

This study evaluated safety & immunogenicity of ZOSTAVAX® (zoster vaccine: ZV) administered concomitantly versus nonconcomitantly with PNEUMOVAX® 23 (pneumococcal vaccine: PPV23). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled 473 subjects ≥60 years old in 1:1 ratio to receive ZV & PPV23 concomitantly (Day 1) or nonconcomitantly (PPV23 Day 1, ZV Week 4). Blood samples obtained for pneumococcal polysaccharide (PnPs) antibody (Ab) testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Ab testing by glycoprotein ELISA. Subjects followed for adverse experiences (AEs) for 28 days postvaccination. Mean baseline VZV geometric mean titers (GMT) in nonconcomitant group were lower than concomitant group. Four weeks postvaccination with ZV, VZV Ab response in concomitant group was not similar to nonconcomitant group; estimated VZV GMT ratio [concomitant/nonconcomitant] was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.61-0.80). VZV Ab response was acceptable in concomitant group; estimated geometric mean foldrise (GMFR) from baseline was 1.9 (95% CI, 1.7-2.1). PnPs serotype-specific Ab responses were similar in both groups. All 6 reported serious AEs were deemed not related to study vaccine. Postvaccination of ZV, incidence of injection-site AEs was similar in both groups; clinical AEs were numerically but not significantly higher in nonconcomitant group. In summary, VZV GMT Ab response induced by ZV administered concomitantly with PPV23 was inferior to that induced nonconcomitantly. These results indicate that, to avoid a potential decrease in ZV immunogenicity, ZV & PPV23 should not be given concomitantly. Concomitant administration did not affect response to PPV23 serotypes tested. When administered concomitantly, ZV & PPV23 vaccines were generally well tolerated.