2017–2019 IBM MarketScan (patients’ age: 50–64 years) N=55,654
Since the first approval of the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) against herpes zoster (HZ) in 2017, evidence for its use in real-world settings has been generated through real-world studies. A key advantage of real-world studies is the heterogeneity of the populations involved (up to ~15 million individuals analysed1), the possibility to identify rare adverse events (AEs) and to detect events to an extent that would not be possible in clinical trials.2,3
This page summarises results of selected real-world effectiveness and safety studies in adults ≥50 years of age (YOA), including patients with underlying conditions. For an exhaustive summary of the RZV real-world evidence, please access the related publication in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics.
Key learnings: Real-world studies have shown that the RZV is effective across the studied populations (adults aged ≤50 years and patients with immunodeficiencies or who are receiving immunosuppressive therapies). Real-world studies suggested that the RZV clinically acceptable safety profile is consistent with results from clinical trials.4
Overview of RZV real-world effectiveness studies
RZV real-world effectiveness: Results
RZV real-world effectiveness studies: Summary
Overview of RZV real-world safety studies
Real-world safety of RZV vaccination
RZV real-world safety studies: Summary
Design | Population age (YOA) |
Follow-up (median) | Total N (Vaccinated; Unvaccinated) |
Location | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sun5 (Jun 2021) |
Retrospective | ≥50 | 24 months | ~78,000 (~12k; ~66k) |
USA |
Sun6 (Sep 2021) |
Retrospective | ≥50 | 7 months | ~4.7M (~173k; ~4.6M) |
USA |
Izurieta1 (Sep 2021) |
Prospective | ≥65 including IC and AID |
7.1 months | ~11.7M (~978k†; ~10.3M) |
USA |
Lu7 (Dec 2021) |
Retrospective | ≥50 | 24 months | ~4.8M (~177k; ~4.6M) |
USA |
Bruxvoort8 (Feb 2022) |
Retrospective | ≥50 | 11–28 months* |
~41,000 vaccinated |
USA |
Khan9 (Jul 2022) |
Retrospective | ≥50 with IBD |
Not reported | ~33,000 (~7k; ~26k) |
USA |
Florea10 (Oct 2023) |
Retrospective | ≥50 | Not available | 19,890 (3978; 15,912) |
USA |
*Median follow-up not reported; †vaccinated refers to those who received 2 doses of the RZV; there were ~464k participants who received only 1 dose of the RZV.
Table created by GSK from the original data presented in Sun Y, et al. Vaccine. 2021;39:3974–3982; Sun Y, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73:949–956; Izurieta HS, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73:941–948; Lu A, et al. Ophthalmology. 2021;128:1699–1707; Bruxvoort K, et al. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022;9(3):ofac011; Khan N, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022;20(7):1570–1578; Florea A, et al. Real-World Effectiveness of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine in Chinese Adults Aged ≥50 Years in the US [Abstract]. Presented at IDWeek; 11–15 October, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
AID, autoimmune disease; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; IC, immunocompromised; k, thousand; M, million; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine; YOA, years of age.
Seven studies examined the real-world effectiveness of the RZV in various populations (including immunocompromised and comorbid individuals) and six studies focused on RZV use in adults ≥50 YOA5–10; the study by Izurieta et al. (2021) focused on adults ≥65 YOA.1 Collectively, RZV effectiveness against herpes zoster was high.1,5–10
Figures contain heterogenous results and serve representative purposes only; they are not meant for head-to-head comparison between studies. Vaccine recipients received 2 doses of the RZV. *Approximately 464,000 recipients only received one dose of the RZV; †population ≥50 YOA; ‡population ≥65 YOA.
Figure created by GSK from the original data presented in Sun Y, et al. Vaccine. 2021;39(29):3974–3982, Sun Y, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(6):949–956, Izurieta HS, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(6):941–948 and Florea A. Real-World Effectiveness of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine in Chinese Adults Aged ≥50 Years in the US [Abstract]. Presented at IDWeek; 11–15 October, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
CI, confidence interval; HZ, herpes zoster; M, million; N, number of participants; PY, person years; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine; VEff, vaccine effectiveness; YOA, years of age.
Figures contain heterogenous results and serve representative purposes only; they are not meant for head-to-head comparison between studies. Vaccine recipients received 2 doses of RZV. *Approximately 464,000 recipients only received one dose of RZV; †population ≥50 YOA; ‡population ≥65 YOA.
Figure created by GSK from the original data presented in Sun Y, et al. Vaccine. 2021;39(29):3974–3982, Sun Y, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(6):949–956 and Izurieta HS, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(6):941–948.
CI, confidence interval; HZ, herpes zoster; M, million; N, number of participants; PY, person years; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine; VEff, vaccine effectiveness; YOA, years of age.
To read more about the clinical efficacy data obtained in the pivotal ZOE trials focusing on patients aged 50 years or older, please follow this link.
PHN and HZO are among the most common complications patients suffering from a herpes zoster episode can experience.11 The adjusted vaccine effectiveness against HZO was 93.3% (95% CI: 48.7–99.1) in Sun et al. (2021a)5, 66.8% (95% CI: 60.7–72.0) in Izurieta et al. (2021)1, and 89.1% (95% CI: 82.9–93.0) in Lu et al. (2021).7 Izurieta et al. (2021) was the only study that reported vaccine effectiveness against PHN: 76.0% (95% CI: 68.4–81.8%).1
Figure contains heterogenous results and serve representative purposes only; it is not meant for head-to-head comparison between studies. Vaccine recipients received 2 doses of RZV. *Approximately 464,000 recipients only received one dose of RZV; †population ≥50 YOA; ‡population ≥65 YOA.
Figure created by GSK from the original data presented in Sun Y, et al. Vaccine. 2021;39(29):3974–3982, Izurieta HS, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(6):941–948 and Lu A, et al. Ophthalmology. 2021;128(12):1699–1707.
CI, confidence interval, HZ, herpes zoster; HZO, herpes zoster ophthalmicus; PY, person years; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine; VEff, vaccine effectiveness; YOA, years of age.
Figure contains heterogenous results and serve representative purposes only; it is not meant for head-to-head comparison between studies. *Vaccine recipients received 2 doses of RZV, population ≥65 YOA.
Figure created by GSK from the original data presented in Izurieta HS, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(6):941–948.
CI, confidence interval, HZ, herpes zoster; PHN, post-herpetic neuralgia; PY, person years; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine; VEff, vaccine effectiveness; YOA, years of age.
Vaccine effectiveness against HZO remained high when stratified by age in a study by Lu A et. al (2021).7
*Incidence rates for age groups 60–69 years and 70–79 years were combined to protect patient privacy due to low incidence of HZO in these age groups.
Figure created by GSK from the original data presented in Lu A, et al. Ophthalmology. 2021;128(12):1699–1707.
CI, confidence interval; HZO, herpes zoster ophthalmicus; PY, person years; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine; VEff, vaccine effectiveness; YOA, years of age.
The slightly lower vaccine effectiveness against herpes zoster for IC individuals compared with healthy individuals is consistent with reduced vaccine efficacy against herpes zoster seen in autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant (auHSCT) recipients12 and among those with haematological malignancies when compared to immunocompetent older adults.13–15
*A similar statistical analysis was not provided for AID versus non-AID populations.
Figure created by GSK from the original data presented in Izurieta HS, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(6):941–948.
AID, autoimmune disease; CI, confidence interval; HR, hazard ratio; HZ, herpes zoster; IC, immunocompromised; N, number of participants; PY, person years; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine; VEff, vaccine effectiveness.
*Percentages calculated among all those with an IC condition, N=746,654; 0.4% had an intermediate IC condition.
Figure created by GSK from the original data presented in Izurieta HS, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(6):941–948.
AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; IC, immunocompromised; N, number of participants.
Individuals with IBD have an increased risk of HZ infection. RZV vaccination was associated with a significantly lower risk of HZ among the age groups 50–60 years and >60 years, although this was limited by low HZ event rates.9
Figure created from the original data presented in Khan N, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022;20(7):1570–1578.
CI, confidence interval; HZ, herpes zoster; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; N, number of participants; PY, person-years; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine; YOA, years of age.
Vaccine effectiveness was significantly higher against herpes zoster following 2 doses of RZV compared with a single dose, which was most pronounced for older adults (aged ≥80 years) and immunocompromised individuals.1 These results highlight the need to ensure adherence to the recommended 2-dose schedule with RZV.1
*The 2-dose series of RZV could be completed any time during the study period up to a maximum of 1 year (i.e., outside of the recommended 2–6-month dosing interval); †RZV is intended as a 2-dose series, vaccine effectiveness was calculated descriptively for patients who did not receive a second dose.
Figure created by GSK from the original data presented in Izurieta HS, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(6):941–948.
CI, confidence interval; HZ, herpes zoster; IC, immunocompromised; M, million; N, number of participants; PY, person years; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine; VEff, vaccine effectiveness; ZVL, zoster vaccine live.
PHN and HZO are among the most common complications patients suffering from a herpes zoster episode can experience.11 Vaccine effectiveness against both common complications was therefore also calculated and, as depicted above, was significantly higher following 2 doses of RZV compared with a single dose.1 These results highlight the need to ensure adherence to the recommended 2-dose schedule with RZV.1
*The 2-dose series of RZV could be completed any time during the study period (i.e., outside of the recommended 2–6-month post first dose window) up to a maximum of 1 year; †RZV is intended as a 2-dose series, vaccine effectiveness was calculated descriptively for patients who did not receive a second dose.
Figure created by GSK from the original data presented in Izurieta HS, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(6):941–948.
CI, confidence interval; HZO, herpes zoster ophthalmicus; IC, immunocompromised; PHN, post-herpetic neuralgia; PY, person years; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine; VEff, vaccine effectiveness.
Results from cohort studies are indicating the benefit of revaccination with RZV against HZ, in spite of previous ZVL vaccination.1,5–7
Figures contain heterogenous results and serve representative purposes only; they are not meant for head-to-head comparison between studies. *Receipt of ZVL was within the last year for Sun et al. (2021a)5 and Lu et al. (2021)7, and within 5 years for Sun et al. (2021b)6 and Izurieta et al. (2021)1; †in the vaccinated cohort, there was one case of HZ.5
Figures created by GSK from the original data presented in Sun Y, et al. Vaccine. 2021;39(29):3974–3982, Sun Y, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(6):949–956, Izurieta HS, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(6):941–948 and Lu A, et al. Ophthalmology. 2021;128(12):1699–1707.
CI, confidence interval; HZ, herpes zoster; HZO, herpes zoster ophthalmicus; N, number of participants; NR, not reported; PY, person years; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine; VEff, vaccine effectiveness; ZVL, zoster vaccine live.
The safety of the RZV has been extensively studied in regulatory- and manufacturer-led, post-licensure surveillance, and other types of studies.16–23 These studies focused on RZV safety in specific populations and explored key areas of interest, such as the incidence of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).
Design |
Population |
Follow-up | Sample size | Location | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tavares-Da-Silva16 (Apr 2020) |
Post-marketing safety surveillance |
RZV recipients worldwide |
16 months | 15,638 spontaneous RZV reports | Worldwide |
Gupta17 (Mar 2022) |
Medical records review |
Adults with rheumatic disease |
3 months | RZV - 1 dose: 31 RZV - 2 doses: 34 |
USA |
Khan18 (Sep 2022) |
Retrospective | Patients with IBD | 3 months | RZV: 1677 Unvaccinated matched controls: 1677 |
USA |
Lenfant19 (Nov 2021) |
Medical records review | Adults with or without IMID | 8.3 months | RZV - 1 dose: 146 RZV - 2 doses: 476 |
USA |
Leung20 (Nov 2022) |
Medical claims data analysis | Aged ≥50 years with IMID | ≥6 months | ~80,000 | USA |
Raza21 (Feb 2022) |
Retrospective | Patients with rheumatic disease after 2 doses of RZV | 4.8 months | 47 | USA |
Satyam22 (Oct 2020) |
Prospective | Patients with IBD | 6.8 months | At least 1 RZV dose: 67 | USA |
Stevens23 (Jun 2020) |
Retrospective | Patients with RA or other SRD | 3 months | At least 1 RZV dose: 403 | USA |
Examples of IMIDs include: ankylosing spondylitis; axial spondyloarthritis; calcium pyrophosphate deposition; Crohn’s disease; gout; IBD; inflammatory arthritis; psoriatic arthritis; psoriasis; rheumatoid arthritis; systemic lupus erythematosus; ulcerative colitis; vasculitis.19,20
Table created by GSK from the original data presented in Tavares-Da-Silva F, et al. Vaccine. 2020;38(18):3489–3500, Gupta S, et al. J Clin Rheumatol. 2022;28(2):e528–e531, Khan N, et al. J Crohns Colitis. 2022;16(9):1505–1507, Lenfant T, et al. Rheumatology. 2021;60(11):5149–5157, Leung J, et al. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2022;74(11):1833–1841, Raza S, et al. South Med J. 2022;115(2):125–128, Satyam VR, et al. Dig Dis Sci. 2020;65(10):2986–2991, Stevens E, et al. ACR Open Rheumatol. 2020;2(6):357–361.
IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; IMID, immune-mediated inflammatory disease; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine; SRD, systemic rheumatic disease.
This page provides an overview of some of the key studies and results. Collectively, these real-world studies support the favourable benefit-risk profile of the RZV.
Design16 |
Post-marketing safety surveillance |
---|---|
Population16 | RZV recipients worldwide |
Primary objective16 | Review spontaneous data reported to GSK worldwide between 13th October 2017 and 10th February 2019 |
Additional information16 |
|
Table created by GSK from the original data presented in Tavares-Da-Silva F, et al. Vaccine. 2020;38(18):3489–3500.
AE, adverse event; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine.
Results
Conclusion
IMIDs included: ankylosing spondylitis; axial spondyloarthritis; Crohn’s disease; inflammatory bowel disease; psoriatic arthritis; psoriasis; rheumatoid arthritis; systemic lupus erythematosus; ulcerative colitis.
CMS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; IMID, immune-mediated inflammatory disease; N, number of patients; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine.
Outcomes and patient data |
---|
Presumed flares defined as hospitalisation/emergency department visit for their respective IMIDs, or steroid treatment with a short-acting oral glucocorticoid or parenteral glucocorticoid injection |
Monthly and cumulative frequencies of RZV administration (2018–2019) |
Characteristics of patients who received ≥1 RZV dose |
Self-controlled case series (SCCS) analysis to examine a temporal association between RZV and flares after the first and second dose of RZV |
IMID, immune-mediated inflammatory disease; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine. The risk of flares was compared during a 42-day risk window (1–42 days after RZV vaccination) versus a 42-day control window (98–140 days prior to RZV vaccination).
Figure created by GSK from original data presented in Leung J, et al. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2022;74(11):1833–1841. The risk of flares was compared during a 42-day risk window (1–42 days after RZV vaccination) versus a 42-day control window (98–140 days prior to RZV vaccination).
Among enrolees with IMIDs, 14.8% of 55,654 MarketScan enrolees and 43.2% of 160,545 Medicare enrolees received ≥1 dose of RZV in 2018–2019. Two-dose series completion rates were 76.6% in MarketScan enrolees and 85.4% in Medicare enrolees.
Among MarketScan and Medicare enrolees, 10% and 13% developed flares in the control window, compared to 9% and 11–12% in the risk window following 1 or 2 doses of RZV, respectively.
Conclusion20
No statistically significant increase in presumed flares following RZV administration for any IMID in either age group was found.20
Among enrolees aged ≥50 years with IMIDs, a substantial proportion received RZV when compared with general zoster coverage estimates, and series completion rates were high.20
AE, adverse event; AID, autoimmune disease; AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome; auHSCT, autologous haemopoietic stem cell transplant; CI, confidence interval; CMS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; GBS, Guillain-Barré Syndrome; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; HR, hazard ratio; HSCT, haematopoietic stem cell transplant; HZ, herpes zoster; HZO, herpes zoster ophthalmicus; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; IC, immunocompromised; IMID, immune-mediated inflammatory disease; k, thousand; M, million; N, number of participants; NR, not reported; PHN, post-herpetic neuralgia; PY, person years; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RZV, recombinant zoster vaccine; VEff, vaccine effectiveness; YOA, years of age; ZVL, zoster vaccine live.
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NX-GBL-SGX-WCNT-230003 | October 2023