Zostavax (zoster vaccine live) / Merck (MSD) - LARVOL DELTA

Blistering Eruption on the Subcontinent: The Looming Public Health Threat of Herpes Zoster, 'Shingles' in India and the Urgent need for Vaccination. (PubMed, Indian J Community Med) - "Despite the global recommendation of zoster vaccines-Zostavax and Shingrix-for individuals above 50 years of age, India has yet to incorporate them into its national immunization program. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive community-based studies, and public awareness initiatives to drive vaccine uptake. Future advancements in vaccine technology and policy shifts will play a key role in determining the feasibility of large-scale implementation in India, ultimately improving health outcomes and quality of life for millions."

Journal • Herpes Zoster • Infectious Disease • Neuralgia • Pain • Varicella Zoster

Towards personalized vaccine repurposing for Alzheimer's prevention: genotype-specific protective association of the shingles vaccine with odds of Alzheimer's disease in participants of two large cohort studies. (PubMed, BMC Neurol) - No abstract available

Journal • Alzheimer's Disease • CNS Disorders • Herpes Zoster • Infectious Disease • Varicella Zoster

A self-assembling ferritin nanoparticle-based trivalent vaccine of gB/gE/gH elicits potent immune responses against varicella-zoster virus. (PubMed, Int J Biol Macromol) - "ZOSTAVAX (live attenuated) and Shingrix (protein subunit) are the main vaccines against varicella-zoster virus (VZV). In a head-to-head comparison with Shingrix, this trivalent vaccine elicited robust glycoprotein-specific IgG titers (≥106), high neutralizing antibody levels (FRNT₅₀ > 103), strong B cell responses, and comparable cytokine production by antigen-specific T cells (IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α). These findings demonstrate our trivalent nanoparticle vaccine offers a promising alternative to current VZV vaccines, combining broad antigen coverage with a potentially improved safety profile."

Journal • Herpes Zoster • Inflammation • Varicella Zoster • IFNG • IL2 • TNFA

Disparities in uptake of Shingrix® vaccine in immunosuppressed individuals in England: a population-based cohort study. (PubMed, Vaccine) - "Our study highlights suboptimal Shingrix® vaccine uptake during initial UK roll-out to immunosuppressed adults. Both relative and absolute differences reveal particularly low uptake among older people, those living with dementia or severe mental illness, and individuals from more deprived or minority ethnic backgrounds. Our results suggest a need for targeted strategies to improve access and reduce disparities in this vulnerable group."

Journal • Alzheimer's Disease • CNS Disorders • Dementia • Herpes Zoster • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases • Varicella Zoster

Developing Topics. (PubMed, Alzheimers Dement) - "There was a statistically significant reduction in the risk of new-onset dementia, AD, and VD associated with a two-dose RZV regimen."

Journal • Alzheimer's Disease • CNS Disorders • Dementia • Herpes Zoster • Preventive care • Varicella Zoster

Low influenza, pneumococcal and herpes zoster vaccination coverage in Australian patients commencing a biologic or targeted synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug for inflammatory arthritis: a nationwide cross-sectional data linkage study. (PubMed, Rheumatol Int) - "Only 9.7% (n = 1500/15,460) received a pneumococcal vaccine and 2.4% (n = 367/15,460) received HZ vaccination (Zostavax or Shingrix) within 6 months of b/tsDMARD commencement. Vaccination rates in patients initiating a b/tsDMARD for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis in Australia should be improved. This may also apply to patients with IA in other countries."

Journal • Herpes Zoster • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Inflammatory Arthritis • Influenza • Pneumococcal Infections • Pneumonia • Respiratory Diseases • Rheumatology • Varicella Zoster

Drug repurposing for Alzheimer's disease: a Delphi consensus and stakeholder consultation. (PubMed, Alzheimers Res Ther) - "This Delphi consensus identified three high-priority drug repurposing candidates for AD with favourable safety profiles and mechanistic plausibility, which are considered suitable for pragmatic clinical trials, including remote or hybrid designs. The PROTECT platform, which supports international cohorts in the UK, Norway, and Canada, offers a well-established means to conduct such trials effectively, thus helping to accelerate the evaluation and potential deployment of these drug candidates to benefit individuals with or at risk for AD."

Journal • Review • Alzheimer's Disease • CNS Disorders • Dementia • Herpes Zoster • Varicella Zoster

Vaccination Against Herpes Zoster in Adults: Current Strategies in European Union Countries. (PubMed, Vaccines (Basel)) - "An overall tendency toward broader HZ vaccination strategies, targeting both older adults and risk groups, is emerging. However, differences among national policies, together with the European Commission's withdrawal of the live-attenuated Zostavax vaccine effective 1 June 2025, highlight the urgent need for comprehensive, harmonized immunization strategies to ensure adequate coverage of adult HZ vaccination across Europe."

Journal • Review • Herpes Zoster • Infectious Disease • Varicella Zoster

BMS-188667: The Immunogenicity and Safety of Zostavax® and Shingrix® in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Using Abatacept (clinicaltrials.gov) - P2 | N=154 | Active, not recruiting | Sponsor: Kevin Winthrop | Trial completion date: Sep 2026 ➔ Feb 2026

Trial completion date • Herpes Zoster • Immunology • Inflammation • Inflammatory Arthritis • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology • Varicella Zoster

Real-world safety of herpes zoster vaccines: A pharmacovigilance study based on the vaccine adverse event reporting system (may 2006-december 2024). (PubMed, Vaccine) - "These findings provide reassuring real-world evidence supporting RZV's clinical safety."

Adverse events • Journal • Real-world evidence • Herpes Zoster • Ophthalmology • Varicella Zoster

Bibliometric analysis and visualization mapping of herpes zoster vaccine publications from 1999 to 2024. (PubMed, Front Med (Lausanne)) - "The live attenuated zoster vaccine (ZVL, Zostavax) reduces HZ risk by 51% and PHN by 65% in adults ≥60 years. The recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, Shingrix) shows approximately 90% efficacy in adults ≥50 years...Frequently used keywords included "herpes zoster," "vaccination," "postherpetic neuralgia," "efficacy," "subunit vaccine," and "safety". This bibliometric study comprehensively summarizes HZ vaccine research over 25 years, offering insights to guide future research and clinical practice."

Journal • Review • Dermatology • Herpes Zoster • Neuralgia • Pain • Varicella Zoster

Influenza, pneumococcal and herpes zoster vaccination coverage in Australian patients commencing a biologic or targeted synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug for inflammatory arthritis (EULAR 2025) - "Only 2.4% (n=367/15 460) of patients received HZ vaccination (Zostavax or Shingrix) within 6 months of b/tsDMARD commencement. Vaccination rates in patients initiating a b/tsDMARD for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis in Australia should be improved."

Clinical • Ankylosing Spondylitis • Herpes Zoster • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Inflammatory Arthritis • Influenza • Pneumococcal Infections • Pneumonia • Psoriatic Arthritis • Respiratory Diseases • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology • Seronegative Spondyloarthropathies • Spondylarthritis • Varicella Zoster

Long-term immunogenicity of a live attenuated herpes zoster vaccine in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. (PubMed, Vaccine) - "Immunogenicity of Zostavax in stable SLE patients is largely retained at 5 years."

Journal • Herpes Zoster • Immunology • Inflammatory Arthritis • Lupus • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus • Varicella Zoster • IFNG

Herpes zoster infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. (PubMed, Korean J Intern Med) - "Shingrix, a recombinant zoster vaccine, is generally preferred because of its high efficacy (> 90%) and safety profile in immunocompromised individuals, unlike the live attenuated zoster vaccine (Zostavax). Given the higher incidence of HZ in certain populations, such as those in Korea, vaccination recommendations should be adapted accordingly. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of Shingrix in younger patients with IBD to ensure sustained protection and prevent complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia."

Journal • Review • Crohn's disease • Gastroenterology • Gastrointestinal Disorder • Genetic Disorders • Herpes Zoster • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Inflammation • Inflammatory Bowel Disease • Neuralgia • Pain • Ulcerative Colitis • Varicella Zoster

Particle-attached microneedle (PAM) vaccination with Recombinant gE protein of varicella zoster virus elicits immune responses comparable to intramuscular immunization in mice. (IMMUNOLOGY 2025) - "Current vaccines, Zostavax (live attenuated) and Shingrix (subunit), have limitations: low efficacy and high reactogenicity, respectively. Immunological evaluation showed that both microneedle vaccination methods induced IgG titers comparable to IM injection. The study demonstrates that PAM vaccination can achieve similar antibody responses to conventional IM injection in half the administration time, suggesting its potential as an effective vaccine platform for VZV-related diseases.Keywords: Animals Rodent; Infections Viral; Molecules Cytokines; Processes Memory; Tissues Skin"

Preclinical • Herpes Zoster • Pain • Varicella Zoster

Varicella zoster virus mRNA vaccine candidate induced superior cellular immunity and comparable humoral and Fc-mediated immunity compared to the licensed subunit vaccine in a mouse model. (PubMed, Hum Vaccin Immunother) - "However, the highest antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity response was achieved by Shingrix®, followed by gE mRNA and then Zostavax®. Our results demonstrate that the mRNA HZ vaccine candidate elicited robust immunogenicity, especially in cellular immunity, and shows a promising potential for HZ prevention."

Clinical • Journal • Preclinical • Herpes Zoster • Varicella Zoster

Exploring the Potential Stimuli and Deterrents of Varicella-Zoster Viral Reactivation: A Scoping Review. (PubMed, Cureus) - "The recombinant Shingrix and live attenuated Zostavax vaccines were created to provide immunity against viral reactivation. Three articles with data regarding PHN pathophysiology suggested that it is more likely caused by neurological damage with some genetic influence rather than further viral reactivation. While further investigation into the relationship between viral reactivation and risk factors is warranted based on this analysis, the results suggest that immunosuppression that has been previously linked to or correlated with these variables likely also contributes to VZV reactivation and PHN."

Journal • Review • CNS Disorders • Depression • Herpes Zoster • Infectious Disease • Neuralgia • Obesity • Pain • Psychiatry • Varicella Zoster

Association of herpes zoster vaccination and cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes: long-term insights from a retrospective cohort study. (PubMed, BMJ Open) - "HZ vaccination is associated with a lower risk of MACE in patients with diabetes. Further prospective studies are critically needed to confirm this finding."

Journal • Retrospective data • Cardiovascular • Coronary Artery Disease • Diabetes • Endocrine Disorders • Herpes Zoster • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Metabolic Disorders • Varicella Zoster

The relationship between Zoster serology, vaccination uptake and infection rates: a single-centre cross-sectional study. (PubMed, Rheumatol Adv Pract) - "In total, 8.6% of the cohort received the Zostavax vaccine, despite a small yet significant number of patients (4.3%) experiencing Herpes Zoster after initiating treatment...Barriers to vaccination include inconsistent guidelines, limited vaccine availability and patient-level hesitancy. This is concerning as our cohort demonstrated small but significant rates of zoster, mostly among patients on long-term steroids."

Journal • Observational data • Herpes Zoster • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Inflammatory Arthritis • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology • Varicella Zoster

Structures of the Varicella Zoster Virus Glycoprotein E and Epitope Mapping of Vaccine-Elicited Antibodies. (PubMed, Vaccines (Basel)) - "Importantly, gE is the sole antigen in Shingrix, a highly efficacious, AS01B-adjuvanted vaccine approved in multiple countries for the prevention of HZ, yet the three-dimensional (3D) structure of gE remains elusive... We used X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy to elucidate structures of gE bound by recombinant Fabs of antibodies previously elicited through vaccination with Zostavax, a live, attenuated vaccine...These results yield insights to VZV gE structure and immunogenicity, provide a framework for future studies, and may guide the design of additional herpesvirus vaccine antigens. Teaser: Structures of varicella zoster virus glycoprotein E reveal distinct antigenic domains and define epitopes for vaccine-elicited human antibodies."

Journal • Herpes Zoster • Infectious Disease • Varicella Zoster

Persistence of Protection by Shingrix (clinicaltrials.gov) - P4 | N=105 | Completed | Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver | Phase classification: P1 ➔ P4 | Trial completion date: Mar 2023 ➔ Jun 2024

Phase classification • Trial completion date • Herpes Zoster • Varicella Zoster

Chimeric adenovirus-based herpes zoster vaccine with the tPA signal peptide elicits a robust T-cell immune response. (PubMed, Virology) - "The ChimAd-based HZ vaccines induced high levels of gE-specific antibodies and cell-mediated immunity. ChimAd-tPAgE (optimal dose: 1 × 107 IFU) elicited a more robust gE-specific T-cell response than Shingrix and Zostavax, showing potential as HZ prophylactic vaccines."

Journal • Herpes Zoster • Infectious Disease • Varicella Zoster • IFNG

LONG-TERM IMMUNOGENICITY OF A LIVE ATTENUATED HERPES ZOSTER VACCINE IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: EXTENDED OBSERVATION FROM A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL (EULAR 2024) - "Immunogenicity of Zostavax in patients with stable SLE is largely retained at 5 years post-vaccination. Patients who receive higher cumulative prednisolone doses are more prone to have a reduction in humoral and cell-mediated response to the live attenuated vaccine."

Clinical • Herpes Zoster • Immunology • Inflammatory Arthritis • Lupus • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus • Varicella Zoster • IFNG

Incidence of Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia and Herpes Zoster Vaccination Uptake in a US Administrative Claims Database. (PubMed, Open Forum Infect Dis) - "Among those aged ≥50 years, the proportion who received 1 or 2 doses of recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix) or 1 dose of Zostavax was calculated. Between 1 January 2019 and 31 May 2022, 9% of persons aged ≥50 years received 2 doses of the Shingrix vaccine. Greater efforts are needed to increase vaccine uptake against HZ, especially for those at highest risk."

Claims database • Journal • Herpes Zoster • Infectious Disease • Neuralgia • Pain • Varicella Zoster

Assessing herpes zoster vaccine efficacy in patients with diabetes: A community-based cohort study. (PubMed, J Med Virol) - "After implementing 1:1 propensity score matching for age, sex, race, comorbidities, diabetes medication, and hemoglobin A1c to ensure comparability, the study population was further stratified into four groups: N1 comparing any HZ vaccination to non-HZ vaccination (53 882 matched pairs), N2 for Shingrix versus non-HZ vaccination (16 665 matched pairs), N3 for Zostavax versus non-HZ vaccination (12 058 matched pairs), and N4 for Shingrix versus Zostavax (11 721 matched pairs). Subgroup analyses across age, sex, and follow-up duration also showed no significant differences. These findings underscore the lack of a significant benefit from HZ vaccination in newly diagnosed diabetes patients aged over 50, highlighting the necessity for further prospective research."

Journal • Diabetes • Herpes Zoster • Metabolic Disorders • Varicella Zoster