Shingrix can provide at least 10 years of protection against shingles in adults aged 50 years and more, suggest data

GSK’s ZOSTER-049 extension study has shown positive interim results for Shingrix (Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted). It can provide at least a decade of protection against shingles (herpes zoster) after initial vaccination, a statement from GSK has notified.

These results come from ZOSTER-049 (ZOE-LTFU), an extension from two phase-III clinical trials ZOE-50 and ZOE-70. From those trials, vaccine efficacy was 97 per cent in adults aged 50 years and above and 91 per cent in adults aged 70 years and above over a follow-up period of approximately four years. The ZOE-LTFU study, which follows participants from the ZOE-50 and ZOE-70 clinical trials for an additional six years, is ongoing and will continue to evaluate the longer-term efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of the vaccine, the statement added.

Sabine Luik, Chief Medical Officer and SVP, Global Medical Regulatory and Quality, GSK, said in the statement, “We are delighted to see the continuing longevity of protection from our shingles vaccine. The findings from ZOE-LTFU demonstrate that it can provide a decade of protection against the pain, debilitating impact and potentially severe complications that shingles can cause in people aged 50 and over. These data significantly add to, and complement, the existing body of evidence demonstrating the long-term benefit of the vaccine, and we look forward to seeing additional results from this ongoing study.”

The Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (RZV) is the first approved shingles vaccine to combine a non-live antigen with GSK’s adjuvant and may help overcome the natural age-related decline in immunity that contributes to the challenge of protecting adults aged 50 years and above from this disease, the statement mentioned.