Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of zoster vaccine in subjects on chronic/maintenance corticosteroids

Vaccine. 2015 Jun 17;33(27):3129-34. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.04.090. Epub 2015 May 8.

Abstract

Background: This randomized, placebo-controlled study assessed the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of live virus zoster vaccine (ZV) in individuals receiving chronic/maintenance systemic corticosteroid therapy (daily dose equivalent of 5-20mg prednisone) for ≥2 weeks prior to vaccination and ≥6 weeks postvaccination.

Methods: Subjects were followed for adverse experiences (AEs), exposure to varicella or herpes zoster (HZ), or development of varicella/varicella-like or HZ/HZ-like rashes for 42 days postvaccination (primary safety follow-up period) and for serious AEs (SAEs) through Day 182 postvaccination (secondary follow-up period). Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibody titers by glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (gpELISA) were measured at baseline and at Week 6 postvaccination.

Results: The proportions of subjects reporting systemic AEs and SAEs were similar in both groups. A higher percentage of subjects reported injection-site AEs in the ZV group (21.5%) than in the placebo group (12.1%). One SAE of ophthalmic HZ (onset Day 16 postvaccination) was reported in the ZV group and deemed vaccine-related by the study investigator; however, PCR testing confirmed the presence of wild-type (not vaccine strain) VZV. Geometric mean titer (GMT) at 6 weeks postvaccination was higher for ZV recipients than placebo recipients, with estimated geometric mean fold rises (GMFR) of 2.3 (CI: 2.0, 2.7) and 1.1 (CI: 1.0, 1.2) respectfully.

Conclusions: In adults ≥60 years old on chronic/maintenance corticosteroids, ZV was generally well tolerated and immunogenic. The VZV-specific gpELISA antibody GMT at 6 weeks postvaccination and the GMFR from baseline to 6 weeks postvaccination were higher in the ZV group than in the placebo group.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00546819.

Keywords: Herpes zoster; Immunogenicity; Safety; Tolerability; Zoster vaccine.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Chickenpox / epidemiology
  • Chickenpox / prevention & control
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / epidemiology
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / pathology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Herpes Zoster / epidemiology
  • Herpes Zoster / prevention & control
  • Herpes Zoster Vaccine / administration & dosage
  • Herpes Zoster Vaccine / adverse effects*
  • Herpes Zoster Vaccine / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Placebos / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Attenuated / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Attenuated / adverse effects
  • Vaccines, Attenuated / immunology

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Herpes Zoster Vaccine
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Placebos
  • Vaccines, Attenuated

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00546819