Herpes Zoster Vaccines

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Vaccinology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Herpes zoster (HZ), or shingles, affects one in three individuals, with risk increasing with age.
• Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a chronic neuropathic pain, is the most common complication of HZ.
• Two vaccines, zoster vaccine live (ZVL) and recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV), are licensed for HZ and PHN prevention in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the safety and efficacy of licensed herpes zoster vaccines.
• To compare the real-world effectiveness of ZVL and RZV.
• To highlight the advantages of RZV, particularly for immunocompromised populations.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical trial data for ZVL and RZV.
• Analysis of real-world effectiveness studies.
• Comparison of vaccine efficacy and safety profiles.

Main Results:

• Both ZVL and RZV have demonstrated safety and efficacy in clinical trials and real-world studies.
• Recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) shows higher effectiveness in preventing HZ compared to ZVL.
• RZV's non-replicating nature ensures its safety in immunocompromised individuals.

Conclusions:

• Both available herpes zoster vaccines are safe and effective for preventing HZ and PHN in older adults.
• RZV offers superior protection against HZ and is a safe option for immunocompromised populations.
• Expanding access to effective zoster vaccines is crucial for global public health in aging populations.