Main Research Findings

Recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) is recommended for adults aged 50 years and older to prevent shingles. 6 suggests that increasing RZV vaccination coverage in US adults aged 50-59 years could potentially reduce the burden of shingles. 2 indicates that RZV efficacy is high across studied populations in real-world settings, including adults aged ≥ 50 years and patients aged ≥ 18 years with immunodeficiency or immunosuppression. Moreover, 3 suggests that RZV is effective in preventing shingles in immunocompromised adults. However, 4 notes that the robustness and duration of immune responses following RZV vaccination, as well as the optimal timing of vaccination in relation to transplantation, remain unanswered questions. Additionally, 1 suggests that RZV could induce strong and long-lasting immune responses in cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. However, this study was a pilot study, and further follow-up is needed to evaluate the long-term immune responses.

Benefits and Risks

Benefits Summary

RZV is recommended for adults aged 50 years and older to prevent shingles. RZV demonstrates high effectiveness in real-world settings and may be effective for immunocompromised adults. Additionally, RZV shows potential to induce strong and long-lasting immune responses in cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy.

Risks Summary

RZV has been shown to be safe in clinical trials. 2 suggests that RZV has a safety profile broadly consistent with that established in clinical trials. However, further research is needed regarding the strength and duration of immune responses in immunocompromised adults and the optimal timing of vaccination related to transplantation. Additionally, 1 necessitates long-term investigations into the impact of RZV on cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy.

Comparison Between Studies

Similarities

All these studies suggest that RZV is effective in preventing shingles. Additionally, all these studies suggest that RZV is safe. However, these studies suggest that further research is needed regarding the effectiveness, safety, and optimal timing of RZV in immunocompromised adults.

Differences

These studies differ in their study populations and methods. For example, 6 was a modeling study, while 2 evaluated effectiveness in real-world settings across different populations. Furthermore, 4 was a prospective observational cohort study of kidney transplant candidates and recipients, while 1 was a pilot study of cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy.

Consistency and Contradictions in Results

These studies suggest that RZV is effective in preventing shingles, but further research is needed regarding the effectiveness, safety, and optimal timing of RZV in immunocompromised adults. Specifically, long-term investigations are needed to understand the impact of RZV on cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy.

Implications for Everyday Life

RZV is recommended for adults aged 50 years and older to prevent shingles. In the case of immunocompromised adults or cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy, consultation with a physician is necessary to determine whether RZV is appropriate.

Limitations of Current Research

All these studies have some limitations. For instance, 6 was a modeling study, which may not reflect real-world scenarios. Additionally, 4 was a prospective observational cohort study and not an intervention study. Furthermore, 1 was a pilot study, and further follow-up is required to evaluate long-term immune responses.

Future Research Directions

Future research should further investigate the effectiveness, safety, and optimal timing of RZV in immunocompromised adults. Specifically, long-term investigations are needed to understand the impact of RZV on cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy.

Conclusion

These studies suggest that RZV is effective in preventing shingles. However, further research is needed regarding the effectiveness, safety, and optimal timing of RZV in immunocompromised adults. Specifically, long-term investigations are needed to understand the impact of RZV on cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. Adults aged 50 years and older should consult with a physician to determine whether RZV vaccination is appropriate for them.