GSK Singapore launches Shingrix vaccine against shingles

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Singapore has launched a new vaccine to help protect against shingles, Shingrix. It is also the first shingles vaccine indicated for use in those who are at increased risk of the disease due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression caused by known disease or therapy. Shingrix is a non-live, recombinant subunit adjuvanted vaccine, given intramuscularly in two doses, for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster). The vaccine was initially approved for adults aged 50 years and over, with the indication expanded recently to adults aged 18 years and over who are at increased risk of shingles due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression caused by known disease or therapy. Shingles affects 1 in 3 people across the Asia-Pacific region. Shingles is triggered by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Nearly all adults over 50 have the shingles virus dormant in their nervous system, waiting to reactivate with advancing age. As one’s immunity system declines with age, the risk and severity of shingles increases, putting older adults in Singapore at a higher risk of shingles and its complications. Shingrix is the first approved shingles vaccine to combine a nonlive antigen with a specifically designed adjuvant to trigger a targeted, strong and sustained immune response.