Shingles Vaccine Generates 24x Increase in T-cells

A new study is answering the questions why the new Shingles vaccine is 90 percent effective for all age groups against the virus.

Shingles is a viral infection, caused by the herpes zoster virus. The incidence of shingles increases with age because the body's natural immunity declines.

During October 2017, the FDA approved Shingrix (Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted) for the prevention of herpes zoster in adults aged 50 years and older.

"Our research shows that the ‘Shingrix’ vaccine stimulates your immune system to produce more antibodies and it generates a 24-fold increase in CD4 T-cells,” said Professor Tony Cunningham from the Westmead Institute for Medical Research.

“This is 12 times higher than the other less effective shingles vaccines.”

"The body has two types of immunity: protein antibodies and white blood cells known as T cells. As the virus circulates around the body, antibodies block it from entering cells.

But when the virus does get into cells your T cells try to kill those infected cells.” said Cunningham.

Moreover, Professor Cunningham believes Shingrix will deliver protection much longer than 4 years if a second dose is administered.

“The strong immune response induced by Shingrix is responsible for an increased likelihood of mild side effects, which could potentially scare patients away from the second dose," said Chris Felton, PharmD, MTM Clinical Pharmacist, Brookshire Grocery Company.

"Patient education with this vaccine is crucial to ensure the patient returns for the second dose.  Patients need to understand that a systemic response to the vaccine is normal and may include, mild fever, fatigue, myalgia, and others. Providers need to reinforce the importance of the second dose with their patients and follow up when that dose is due", Felton said.

This clinical trial included more than 15,000 participants across 18 countries in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and Australia. Participants in the trial received two doses of the vaccine, with the doses given two months apart.

Shingrix is different from most other vaccines, said Cunningham.

Many vaccines are made from a weakened form of the virus, but Shingrix is made from just a single protein known as glycoprotein E, that comes from the outer shell of the herpes zoster virus.

The vaccine also contains an adjuvant--a substance that helps your body respond more strongly to the vaccine . It is the first shingles vaccine to combine a non-live antigen with a specifically designed adjuvant.

To better facilitate a product comparison between Shingrix and Zostavax, which was approved in 2006 by the FDA, the APhA developed a one-page reference for everyone’s review.

The goal of this reference document is to empower more informed immunization decisions when comparing Shringrix and Zostavax vaccines.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides current vaccine information.

Vaccine discounts can be found here.

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects, says the CDC. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the FDA or CDC.

Financial support. This work was supported by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA. GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA was involved in all stages of the conduct and analysis of the studies. GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA covered the costs associated with the development and the publishing of the present manuscript. The Shingrix vaccine is developed by GlaxoSmithKline.

These researchers did not disclose any conflicts of interest: Anthony L Cunningham Thomas C Heineman Himal Lal Olivier GodeauxRoman Chlibek Shinn-Jang Hwang Janet E McElhaney Timo Vesikari Charles AndrewsWon Suk Choi, Meral Esen Hideyuki Ikematsu Martina Kovac Choma Karlis PauksensStéphanie Ravault Bruno Salaun Tino F Schwarz Jan Smetana Carline Vanden AbeelePeter Van den Steen Ilse Vastiau Lily Yin Weckx Myron J Levin for the ZOE-50/70 Study Group.

The research, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.