Herpes Zoster and Its Prevention by Vaccination

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Vaccinology
• Virology

Background:

• Herpes zoster (HZ), or shingles, is caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation, primarily affecting older adults and immunocompromised individuals.
• Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common complication of HZ, significantly impacting quality of life, with limited prevention and treatment options.
• Existing VZV vaccines have limitations, necessitating the development of more effective preventative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new recombinant adjuvanted VZV vaccine for preventing herpes zoster.
• To assess the vaccine's ability to restore protective T cell-mediated immunity in the context of immune senescence.

Main Methods:

• The study involves a novel vaccine combining VZV glycoprotein (gE) with a multicomponent adjuvant.
• Evaluation of the vaccine's immunogenicity, safety, and clinical efficacy in preventing HZ.
• Comparison with previously available live attenuated VZV vaccines.

Main Results:

• The recombinant adjuvanted vaccine demonstrates remarkable effectiveness in restoring T cell immunity against VZV.
• Clinical efficacy is significantly higher than other vaccines, particularly in older adults experiencing immune senescence.
• The vaccine exhibits a very acceptable safety profile.

Conclusions:

• The new recombinant adjuvanted VZV vaccine represents a significant advancement in preventing herpes zoster.
• It is recommended for individuals aged 50 and older in the USA and Canada.
• Ongoing studies are investigating its use in severely immunocompromised populations.