Shingles Vaccine Market Overview and Introduction

A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular disease. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent diseases. A vaccine helps the body’s immune system to recognize and fight pathogens like viruses or bacteria, which then keeps us safe from the diseases they cause. Vaccines are made using the disease-causing virus or bacteria, but in a form that will not harm human body.

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. Primary infection with VZV causes varicella. Once the illness resolves, the virus remains latent in the dorsal root ganglia. VZV can reactive later in a person’s life and cause a painful, maculopapular rash called herpes zoster. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of herpes zoster. PHN is pain that persists in the area where the rash once was for more than 90 days after rash onset. PHN can last for weeks or months, and occasionally, for years. Three vaccines, zoster vaccine live (ZVL, Zostavax by Merck & Co., Inc & SkyZoster by SK chemicals) and recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, Shingrix by GlaxoSmithKline plc), are the only vaccines approved worldwide for treatment of shingles.

Rising prevalence & incidences of shingles is anticipated to ensure a strong demand for shingles vaccination products worldwide. For instance, incidences of shingles have significantly risen in the US, with incidence rate among individuals belonging to the age group of 50-59 years, climbing from ~4.1 in 1998 to approximately 7.9 per 1000 people in 2016. Moreover, rising geriatric population has been one of the pivotal factors in contributing to the growth of the global shingles market. However, high costs associated with development, storage of vaccines is likely to restrain the market to a certain extent.

The global shingles market has primarily been segmented into two broad categories, viz. By Product and By Vaccine Type.

Shingles Vaccine Market By Product

The segment of product is further classified into Shingrix, Zostavax and SkyZoster. On the basis of product sales, the market for shingrix outnumbered that of Zostavax & SkyZoster, owing to better efficiency and better protection against herpes zoster and PHN.

Shingles Vaccine Market By Vaccine Type

On the basis of vaccine type, the global shingles vaccine market has been classified into Live Vaccine and Recombinant Vaccine. The market for recombinant vaccine accounted for the largest share in 2019, owing to higher adoption of Shingrix, which is a recombinant vaccine, unlike Zostavax & SkyZoster, which are live vaccines. According to GlaxoSmithKline plc, recombinant vaccine, Shingrix, achieveied more than 90% efficacy.

Shingles Vaccine Market by Regions

The global shingles market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World (ROW). In 2018, North America accounted for the largest share in the global shingles vaccines, owing to availability of efficient healthcare insurance & reimbursement systems, better awareness, and favorable government regulations among others.

Shingles Vaccine Market Prominent Players

The global shingles market is majorly governed by GlaxoSmithKline plc., and Merck & Co., Inc.. and SK Chemicals