ACIP Recommends Shingrix Vaccine for Shingles Prevention in Adults 50 and Up

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has voted to recommend Shingrix, manufactured by GSK plc, as the preferred vaccine for the prevention of shingles in adults aged 50 years and older. The vote, which occurred on October 25, 2017, also supported its use in individuals previously vaccinated against shingles.

This decision means up to 62 million more adults in the US are now eligible for vaccination. The recommendation specifically includes roughly 42 million adults aged 50-59 and 20 million who may have previously received another shingles vaccine, Zostavax. Shingrix is now preferred over Zostavax for preventing shingles and its complications.

GSK noted that the risk of shingles increases with age, particularly after 50, due to age-related decline in immunity. Shingrix was developed to address this decline, and clinical trials indicated an efficacy greater than 90% in preventing shingles across all age groups studied.

The ACIP's recommendations will proceed to the director of the CDC and the US Department of Health and Human Services for final review and approval. Following approval, the updated guidelines will be published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).