GSK shingles vaccine approved by EU and Japan

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has succeeded in gaining approval for its shingles vaccine Shingrix in  both the EU and Japan.

The vaccination will not just protect against shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia. These are caused by the varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox in children and can come back as shingles in later life. 

Shingrix has been approved for use to prevent both conditions in individuals aged over 50 in Europe, and as a means of preventing shingles in the over-50s in Japan. 

Over 99 per cent of people aged over 50 carry the varicella zoster virus.

Commenting on the approval, senior vice-president and chief medical officer of GSK Vaccines, Dr Thomas Breuer said: "The risk and severity of shingles increases with age as the immune system loses the ability to mount a strong and effective response to infection. Shingrix was developed specifically to overcome this decline and to help protect people over 50 as we get older."

The drug is already licensed for use in the US and Canada. 
 
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