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Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Vaccine (Zostavax®): A Review of Its Use in the Prevention of Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia in Adults Aged ≥50 Years

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Abstract

The live, attenuated shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine Zostavax® is approved in the EU for use in the prevention of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in adults aged ≥50 years. In adults aged ≥60 years, zoster vaccine reduced the burden of illness associated with herpes zoster, with reductions in the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia and herpes zoster, according to the results of the Shingles Prevention Study. Results of subsequent Short- and Long-Term Persistence Substudies indicate that the efficacy of zoster vaccine is maintained in the longer term, albeit with a gradual decline over time. In the Zostavax Efficacy and Safety Trial, zoster vaccine reduced the incidence of herpes zoster in adults aged 50–59 years. Findings of these studies are supported by the results of large, retrospective, cohort studies. Zoster vaccine was generally well tolerated, with injection-site adverse events being the most commonly reported adverse events. In conclusion, zoster vaccine provides an important opportunity to reduce the burden of illness associated with herpes zoster by reducing the incidence of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.

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Disclosure

The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding. During the peer review process, the manufacturer of the agent under review was offered an opportunity to comment on this article. Changes resulting from comments received were made by the author on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.

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Correspondence to Gillian M. Keating.

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The manuscript was reviewed by: G. Icardi, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; C. A. Kauffman, Division of Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; M. J. Levin, Division of Infectious Diseases, Children’s Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA; V. A. Morrison, Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; T. Vesikari, Vaccine Research Center, University of Tampere Medical School, Tampere, Finland.

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Keating, G.M. Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Vaccine (Zostavax®): A Review of Its Use in the Prevention of Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia in Adults Aged ≥50 Years. Drugs 73, 1227–1244 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-013-0088-1

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