Brady Collins
The new Shingrix vaccine is a recombinant adjuvant subunit vaccine, meaning it contains pieces of the varicella-zoster virus that causes shingles, instead of the virus itself. It is not a live vaccine, and it is recommended as a two-dose series for adults aged 50 and older. It is also available to people aged 19 and older with weakened immune systems. The vaccine is highly effective, with studies showing that it can protect adults from shingles for at least 10 years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Vaccine | Recombinant adjuvant subunit vaccine |
| Active Component | Contains pieces of the varicella-zoster virus instead of the virus itself |
| Use | Prevention of herpes zoster or shingles |
| Dosage | Two doses |
| Age Group | Adults 50 and older |
| Effectiveness | More than 90% effective |
| Side Effects | Temporary pain at the injection site, headache, shivering, tiredness |
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What You'll Learn
Shingrix is a non-live vaccine
Shingrix is highly effective at preventing shingles and its complications. It is recommended as a two-dose series for adults aged 50 and older, with the second dose given 2-6 months after the first. For adults aged 19 and older with weakened immune systems, Shingrix is also recommended and can be administered 1-2 months after the first dose. The vaccine is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and its related complications in adults with healthy immune systems, and protection from the vaccine has been shown to last for at least 10 years.
Shingrix is a safe option for immunocompromised individuals, unlike the previous live vaccine Zostavax, which is no longer available in the United States as of November 2020. Zostavax was a live attenuated vaccine that contained a much higher virus titer than the chickenpox vaccine. While it was the first proof of concept that vaccination could prevent herpes zoster, it could not be used in immune-compromised patients, leading to the development of Shingrix.
Shingrix works by containing VZV glycoprotein E (gE) and a liposome-based adjuvant system, ASO1B. The monophosphoryl lipid in ASO1B activates innate patient immunity and results in cytokine production, while QS-21 stimulates CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. This leads to a strong cellular and antibody response. Glycoprotein E is the primary target of the T cell response as it is the most abundant VZV envelope protein and plays a significant role in viral replication and cell-to-cell virus transfer.
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It contains pieces of the varicella-zoster virus
The Shingrix vaccine is a recombinant adjuvant subunit vaccine. This means that it contains pieces of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) instead of the virus itself. VZV is the same virus that causes chickenpox, and if someone gets chickenpox, the virus can stay in their body and become active again later in life, causing shingles. Shingles is a painful rash that can develop decades after having chickenpox. It usually appears as a band of fluid-filled blisters on one side of the face or body. Other symptoms include headache, malaise, itching, tingling, and severe pain.
Shingrix contains VZV glycoprotein E (gE) antigen and a liposome-based adjuvant system, ASO1B. The adjuvant is a substance that helps the immune system respond better to the vaccine. Glycoprotein E is the primary target of the T cell response because it is the most abundant VZV envelope protein and plays a significant role in viral replication and cell-to-cell virus transfer. It also exhibits a higher immune response compared to other glycoproteins and is involved in the pathogenesis of skin lesions.
Shingrix is not a live vaccine and cannot infect the recipient or anyone else. It is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and its complications in adults with healthy immune systems. It is the only shingles vaccine currently available in the US and Australia and is recommended for adults aged 50 and older. It is also available for adults aged 19 and older with weakened immune systems.
Shingrix is given as a two-dose series, with the second dose administered two to six months after the first for immunocompetent individuals and one to two months for immunocompromised individuals. The vaccine is highly effective, with protection lasting at least seven to ten years after the initial vaccination. While some people can still develop shingles after receiving the vaccine, they typically experience milder symptoms and a shorter illness.
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It is recommended for adults aged 50 and older
Shingrix is a recombinant adjuvant subunit vaccine, meaning it is not a live vaccine. It contains pieces of the varicella-zoster virus, which causes shingles, instead of the virus itself. It is also supplemented with an adjuvant, a substance that helps the immune system respond better to the vaccine.
Shingrix is the only shingles vaccine available in the US. It is recommended for adults aged 50 and older, regardless of their history of shingles or previous vaccinations. The vaccination is administered in two doses, given two to six months apart. The second dose can be administered one to two months after the first for patients who are immunodeficient or immunosuppressed.
The shingles vaccine is highly effective in preventing the disease and its complications. In adults aged 50 to 69 with healthy immune systems, Shingrix has a 97% efficacy rate in preventing shingles. This number is slightly lower, at 91%, for adults aged 70 and above. The vaccine has been shown to provide strong protection for at least seven to ten years, with a slight decrease in effectiveness over time. However, additional booster doses are not currently recommended.
Shingrix is also recommended for adults aged 19 and older with weakened immune systems, as they are at a higher risk of developing shingles and its related complications. The vaccine has been shown to be between 68% and 91% effective in this demographic, depending on the condition affecting the immune system.
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It is also recommended for immunocompromised adults aged 19 and older
The Shingrix vaccine is recommended for immunocompromised adults aged 19 and older. This is because the risk of herpes zoster (shingles) and related complications is generally higher in immunocompromised adults compared to immunocompetent adults.
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus can stay dormant in their body and reactivate years or decades later, causing shingles. Shingles is a painful rash that can result in long-term nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia.
Shingrix is a recombinant adjuvant subunit vaccine, meaning it contains pieces of the varicella-zoster virus instead of the virus itself. It is not a live vaccine and is, therefore, safe for immunocompromised individuals. It is also safe to administer while patients are taking antiviral medications.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends two doses of Shingrix for the prevention of shingles and related complications in immunocompromised adults aged 19 and older. The second dose should be given two to six months after the first, but this interval can be shortened to one to two months for patients who are immunodeficient or immunosuppressed. This shorter interval may be beneficial to avoid vaccination during periods of more intense immunosuppression.
Shingrix is highly effective, with studies showing it to be more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and its complications in adults with healthy immune systems. Protection from the vaccine lasts for at least seven to ten years, and possibly longer. Side effects of the vaccine are typically mild and may include temporary pain at the injection site, headache, and shivering.
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It is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and its complications
The Shingrix vaccine is highly effective at preventing shingles and its complications. It is a recombinant adjuvant subunit vaccine, meaning it contains pieces of the varicella-zoster virus that causes shingles, instead of the virus itself. This type of vaccine prompts the body to create a strong defence against the virus, without risking infection from the virus itself.
Shingrix is recommended as a two-dose series for adults aged 50 and older, with the second dose administered two to six months after the first. The vaccine is also suitable for adults aged 19 and older with weakened immune systems. In this age group, the vaccine has been shown to be between 68% and 91% effective in preventing shingles, depending on the condition affecting the immune system.
In adults with healthy immune systems, the vaccine is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and its complications. Clinical trials have shown that in adults aged 50 to 69 with healthy immune systems, the vaccine is 97% effective in preventing shingles. In adults aged 70 and older, the vaccine is 91% effective.
Shingrix is also effective in preventing postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common shingles complication, which is long-term nerve pain that can be severe and debilitating. In adults aged 50 and older, the vaccine is 91% effective in preventing PHN, and in adults aged 70 and older, it is 89% effective.
Protection from the vaccine lasts for at least seven years, and possibly longer. A 2022 study found that two doses of Shingrix protected adults aged 50 and older from shingles for at least 10 years. At the end of this 10-year period, the vaccine was approximately 73% effective. Although the effectiveness may wane slightly over time, no booster shots are currently recommended.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Shingrix is not a live vaccine. It is a recombinant adjuvant subunit vaccine, which means it contains pieces of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) instead of the virus itself.
Zostavax was a live shingles vaccine that is no longer available in the US and Australia. Shingrix is more effective than Zostavax, with studies showing it is more than 90% effective in preventing shingles and its complications in adults with healthy immune systems.
The Shingrix vaccine contains VZV glycoprotein E (gE) antigen and a liposome-based adjuvant system, ASO1B. The adjuvant stimulates the immune system to respond better to the vaccine. The gE antigen is the primary target of the T cell response and plays a significant role in viral replication and cell-to-cell virus transfer.
