title: Immunogenicity and safety of a live attenuated shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine (Zostavax®) in individuals aged ≥ 70 years: a randomized study of a single dose vs. two different two-dose schedules.
abstract: Disease protection provided by herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination tends to reduce as age increases. This study was designed to ascertain whether a second dose of the HZ vaccine, Zostavax(®), would increase varicella zoster virus (VZV)-specific immune response among individuals aged ≥ 70 y. Individuals aged ≥ 70 y were randomized to receive HZ vaccine in one of three schedules: a single dose (0.65 mL), two doses at 0 and 1 mo, or two doses at 0 and 3 mo. VZV antibody titers were measured at baseline, 4 weeks after each vaccine dose, and 12 mo after the last dose. In total, 759 participants (mean age 76.1 y) were randomized to receive vaccination. Antibody responses were similar after a single dose or two doses of HZ vaccine [post-dose 2/post-dose 1 geometric mean titer (GMT) ratios for the 1-mo or 3-mo schedules were 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.22 and 0.78, 95% CI 0.73-0.85], respectively). The 12-mo post-dose 2/12-mo post-dose 1 GMT ratio was similar for the 1-mo schedule and for the 3-mo schedule (1.06, 95% CI 0.96-1.17 and 1.08, 95% CI 0.98-1.19, respectively). Similar immune responses were observed in participants aged 70-79 y and those aged ≥ 80 y. HZ vaccine was generally well tolerated, with no evidence of increased adverse event incidence after the second dose with either schedule. Compared with a single-dose regimen, two-dose vaccination did not increase VZV antibody responses among individuals aged ≥ 70 y. Antibody persistence after 12 mo was similar with all three schedules.
authors: Vaccine Research Centre; University of Tampere Medical School; Tampere, Finland.
authors: Timo
authors: T
authors: Vesikari
authors: Roland
authors: R
authors: Hardt
authors: Hans C
authors: HC
authors: Rümke
authors: Giancarlo
authors: G
authors: Icardi
authors: Jordi
authors: J
authors: Montero
authors: Stéphane
authors: S
authors: Thomas
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Sadorge
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Fiquet
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine
keywords: Aging; Herpes zoster vaccine; Randomized clinical trial; Two-dose regimen; Varicella zoster virus; Zistavax®