Are you aware about shingles? I am sure most of you knew about chickenpox just like myself and I already had it once at a young age. So what is shingles really?
Shingles is caused by reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) – the same virus that causes chickenpox. You can look at the image on how it looks like. The excruciating pain experienced by the patient that often described as aching, burning, stabbing or shock-like.
From left: Dr Alap Gandhi, Country Medical Director of GSK Malaysia and Brunei; Ruxandra Nastasa, Vice President & General Manager of GSK Malaysia & Brunei; and Dr Peter Ch’ng, Consultant Dermatologist from Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur & Honorary Secretary of Dermatological Society of Malaysia at the launch of GSK’s Shingles vaccine.
Recently, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical Sdn Bhd (GSK) has announced the launch of its Herpes Zoster vaccine, Shingrix (MAL24056002ARZ), also known as Recombinant Zoster Vaccine, Adjuvanted (RZV) in Malaysia for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster, HZ) and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) in adults aged 50 years and over. RZV is a non-live, recombinant subunit adjuvanted vaccine given intramuscularly in two doses.
Ruxandra Nastasa, Vice President & General Manager of GSK Malaysia & Brunei, delivering her speech at the launch of GSK's Shingles vaccine.
Dr. Peter Ch'ng, Consultant Dermatologist at Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Honorary Secretary of the Dermatological Society of Malaysia, sharing on the burden of shingles.
As we grow older and older, our cells in the immune system lose the ability to mount a strong and effective response to infection, increasing the risk of developing shingles. The disease can cause unbearable pain and, in some cases, people can also develop post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) a long-lasting nerve pain following shingles.
RZV is a vaccine designed to prevent shingles in adults aged 50 years and over and 18 years and over who are at increased risk in countries where the indication for this population has been approved. RZV is also approved for adults aged 18 and over who are at increased risk of HZ. Immunocompromised individuals are at greater risk of shingles and associated complications and RZV is a shingles vaccine approved for this at-risk patient population.
In an analysis of the pivotal efficacy studies, ZOE-50, RZV demonstrated vaccine efficacy of up to 97% in adults 50 years and above, over a follow-up period of approximately three years, Recent interim data demonstrated overall vaccine efficacy of RZV of greater than 80% over the primary follow-up period approximately six to 10 years after initial vaccination in people 50 years and over.
Dr. Alap Gandhi, Country Medical Director of GSK Malaysia & Brunei, sharing about the newly launched shingles vaccine.
Dr. Alap Gandhi, Country Medical Director of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical Sdn Bhd (GSK) Malaysia said: “Shingles is a disease that can cause excruciating pain and is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. RZV has been designed to boost the immune response to the virus in people aged 50 and over or in those with immunocompromised conditions.” He concluded, “We are pleased that people in Malaysia will now have access to the RZV vaccine to help reduce the burden of this painful disease.”
From left: Dr. Alap Gandhi, Country Medical Director of GSK Malaysia & Brunei and Dr. Peter Ch'ng, Consultant Dermatologist at Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur & Honorary Secretary of the Dermatological Society of Malaysia sharing on Shingles and GSK’s Shingles vaccine during the panel discussion at the launch of GSK’s shingles vaccine.
From the panel discussion and Q&A session, I learnt a few information regarding shingles and the vaccine as stated below:-
1. Prevention is better than cure by administering the vaccine;
2. If patient has shingles then vaccine are no longer recommended;
3. If pain has started, painkillers are used to reduce inflammation and to use opioid or patch;
4. Dry up the blisters to prevent secondary infection.
5. The RZV vaccine from GSK has 97% of efficacy and recommended for 50 years old and above since 1 in 3 people will develop shingles at some stage during their lifetime.
RZV will initially be available in Malaysia to adults aged 50 and over and those aged 18 and over who are at increased risk of HZ.
RZV is an approved shingles vaccine to combine a non-live antigen with GSK’s adjuvant and may help overcome the natural age-related decline in immunity that contributes to the challenge of protecting adults aged 50 and over from this disease.
RZV has resulted in positive vaccination recommendations. In Malaysia, RZV is recommended by Guideline for Adult Immunization by Malaysia Society of Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy for persons who are 50 years and above and for immunosuppressed patients 18 years and above.
With the launch of RZV in Malaysia, GSK hopes to continue to play a part in the betterment of public health in Malaysia. So if you're interested to get the vaccine or to learn more about it, you can head to your nearest hospital or clinic.
.: Peace Out :.
So glad we finally have the vaccine now!
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