CDC Advisers Recommend New Herpes Zoster Vaccine over Zostavax

By Kelly Young

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, DFASAM

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted on Wednesday to recommend use of the newly approved herpes zoster vaccine, Shingrix.

The non-live, recombinant subunit, two-dosevaccine was recommended in a 12-to-1 vote for adults aged 50 years and older. The other shingles vaccine on the market, Zostavax, is recommended only for those aged 60 and older.

Here are some of the data presented to the committee:

• Shingrix had 97% efficacy in those aged 50–69 and 91% efficacy in older adults.

• Efficacy was at least 85% at 4 years post-vaccination in patients aged 70 and older.

• Thirteen people in their 50s — and 11 in their 60s — would need to be vaccinated to prevent one zoster case.

• Shingrix was more efficacious than Zostavax, particularly for older adults.

The committee also voted to recommend Shingrix for patients who've previously received Zostavax, with at least 8 weeks between vaccines.

The vote to recommend Shingrix over Zostavax narrowly passed by 8 to 7. Dissenters expressed concerns about supply, unknown long-term safety issues, and lack of head-to-head comparisons.