GSK has announced that the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved Shingrix (its Recombinant Zoster Vaccine or RZV) for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster) in adults aged 18 years and over who are at increased risk of shingles due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression caused by known disease or therapy.  

Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV), represents a significant public health burden in China, with around six million cases reported annually. While advancing age is a key risk factor, individuals with weakened immune systems are also particularly susceptible. Currently, there are no other shingles vaccines approved in China for this high-risk population.

Shingles-associated pain is often described as aching, burning, stabbing or shock-like and can have a considerable impact on patients’ quality of life, affecting sleep and ability to undertake activities of daily living, including work. This approval expands the reach of GSK’s RZV, ensuring protection for those patients most vulnerable to shingles.

Sanjay Gurunathan, Senior Vice President, Vaccines and Infectious Diseases R&D, said, “This approval marks a critical milestone in expanding access to GSK’s RZV for those at a higher risk of what can be a disrupting and devastating disease. Through close collaboration with regulatory bodies, we continue to drive innovation that helps protect vulnerable patient groups and shift the focus of healthcare systems towards preventing diseases, like shingles.”

The NMPA’s decision was supported by data from six clinical trials involving adults aged 18 years and above who had recently undergone stem cell or kidney transplantation, or were living with blood cancer, solid tumours, or HIV.