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On October 20, 2017, the U.S. FDA approved a new herpes zoster vaccine (fda.gov), and on October 25, 2017, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) published recommendations regarding the new herpes zoster vaccine (Reuters report).
In contrast to the currently licensed live vaccine, the new product is a varicella zoster virus glycoprotein E antigen combined with a novel adjuvant. The vaccine is indicated for those aged 50 and older; a second dose 2 to 6 months after the first dose is required. In two clinical trials leading to the approval, the vaccine's efficacy in preventing zoster exceeded 90%, far superior to the approximately 50% efficacy seen with the live vaccine, and was maintained for at least 4 years. Minor adverse e…