Herpes Zoster Subunit Vaccine 97% Effective in Older Adults

Two doses of the herpes zoster subunit (HZ/su) vaccine in Adults who were 50 years or older significantly decreased the risk of herpes zoster, according to a recent study.

In order to determine the efficacy and safety of HZ/su in adults 50 years or older, researchers conducted a placebo-controlled, phase 3 study in which 15,411 participants from 18 countries were evaluated.
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Of the participants, 7698 received the vaccine (which contained varicella zoster virus glycoprotein E and an adjuvant), while 7713 were administered a placebo. Both doses were administered 2 months apart from each other.

After a mean 3.2-year follow-up, researchers discovered herpes zoster manifestation in 210 individuals in the placebo group and 6 participants in the HZ/su group, equalling an overall efficacy of 97.2%.

The investigators noted that the number participants who experienced serious adverse events were similar in both groups.

The complete study is published in the April issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

-Michelle Canales Butcher

Reference:

Lal H, Cunningham AL, Godeaux O, et al. Efficacy of an adjuvanted herpes zoster subunit vaccine in older adults. NJEM. 2015 April [epub ahead of print] doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1501184.