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The recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV; Shingrix) was approved in 2017 on the basis of its near-100% efficacy in clinical trials (NEJM JW Infect Dis Jun 2015 and N Engl J Med 2015; 372:2087; NEJM JW Gen Med Oct 15 2016 and N Engl J Med 2016; 375:1019). Enough time has passed now to examine its efficacy in clinical use.
In a prospective U.S. CDC-funded cohort study, researchers followed almost 2 million adults (age, ≥50) who were receiving care in one of several large U.S. healthcare systems. About 40% were older than 65. After 5 years, almost 50% of those who still were enrolled in the study had received at least one dose of RZV, and 38% had received the recommended two doses.
Overall incidence of zoster (defined as the presence of the specific …