New shingles vaccine endorsed over competitor by expert panel, a boost for GSK

Stat News

25 October 2017 - The expert panel that helps guide U.S. vaccination policy has voted to give a preferential recommendation to GSK’s new shingles vaccine, Shingrix, effectively telling doctors and patients it is better than the alternative on the market, Merck’s Zostavax.

But the preferential vote, a rarity, barely squeaked through, with members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voting 8-to-7 on the question.

Earlier the committee voted unanimously to recommend the new vaccine, which earned market approval from the Food and Drug Administration last Friday. The vaccine was recommended for use in immune competent adults 50 years of age and older. Data are still being gathered to explore whether the vaccine is safe and effective in immune-compromised individuals, the committee was told.

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Michael Wonder

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Michael Wonder

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US , Vaccine , Comparison