The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new prefilled syringe form of Shingrix, GSK’s very successful shingles vaccine. It is anticipated that this advancement would increase adult vaccination rates against the excruciating and incapacitating illness and make the vaccination process easier for medical professionals.
Healthcare providers no longer need to reconstitute the vaccine from a powder and liquid, as was necessary with the prior vial-based version, thanks to Shingrix’s revised presentation. With less time and effort needed for each vaccine, this simplified, ready-to-use format is anticipated to be a welcome improvement in hectic clinical settings.
The prefilled syringe presentation of GSK’s shingles vaccine is good news, providing a convenient method of administration. The FDA approval is a positive step toward driving prevention of this painful disease, and as a practicing pharmacist I welcome the availability of this new presentation.
Brigid Groves
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For adults 50 years of age and older, as well as people 18 years of age and older who are or will be at elevated risk because of immunodeficiency or immunosuppression, Shingrix is advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent shingles and its consequences. To guarantee optimal protection, the CDC still advises receiving the vaccine in a two-dose course.
The varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox, reactivates to cause shingles. In the United States, an estimated one million people have shingles annually. A severe rash is the condition’s hallmark, and it can cause long-term problems, including postherpetic neuralgia, which is a chronic and frequently incapacitating nerve pain.
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At GSK, we are committed to advancing scientific innovation and delivering practical solutions that address the needs of the healthcare community. This new presentation of Shingrix was developed to streamline the vaccination process, supporting healthcare professionals to provide protection against shingles, a disease that 1 in 3 US adults will develop in their lifetime.
Tony Wood
Data showing the prefilled syringe’s technical equivalence to the current presentation served as the basis for its approval. Additionally, GSK has submitted the updated presentation to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for regulatory evaluation, and a decision is expected soon. This action demonstrates GSK’s dedication to expanding the vaccine’s availability and ease of use globally.
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Graduated from the University of Kerala with B.Sc. Botany and Biotechnology. Attained Post-Graduation in Biotechnology from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Science (KUFOS) with the third rank. Conducted various seminars and attended major Science conferences. Done 6 months of internship in ICMR – National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad. 5 years of tutoring experience.
