Abstract Body

Background: First licensed in 2017 and currently approved in >30 countries, RZV (GSK) has demonstrated high and persistent efficacy against herpes zoster (HZ) with a clinically-acceptable safety profile. We reviewed available national guidelines/recommendations on RZV vaccination to identify the similarities and differences and highlight any potential gaps.

Methods: For each country where RZV is licensed, we searched their national health authority’s and/or vaccination committee’s website between May-October 2020. RZV recommendations were summarized under 7 topics: HZ vaccine preference, age-group recommendation, use in special populations, medical history prior to RZV vaccination, dose schedule, co-administration with other vaccines and vaccine safety profile.

Results: National guidelines/recommendations were identified in 9 countries: Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States. In 7/9 countries RZV is the preferred (or the only recommended) HZ vaccine. RZV vaccination is recommended at ≥50 or ≥60 years of age for the general population in 8/9 countries, and at a lower age for high-risk groups, in 3/9 countries. Several guidelines provide recommendation for RZV vaccination in individuals following a prior HZ episode or receipt of live attenuated zoster vaccine; however, variations exist on timing of RZV administration following these. RZV’s dose schedule, co-administration with other vaccines, reactogenicity and safety profile are also highlighted by some guidelines/recommendations.

Conclusions: In several countries, the high and persistent efficacy of RZV and its anticipated public health impact led to broadening the national HZ vaccination recommendations to additional sections of the general population or to individuals previously not included in those recommendations.

Funding: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA