Shingles Protection (ShiP) Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evolution of serum and oral fluid varicella-zoster virus IgG antibody levels in herpes zoster cases aged 70 years or older
IRAS ID
177717
Contact name
Gayatri Amirthalingam
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UKHSA
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, days
Research summary
In 2012, routine shingles (herpes zoster) vaccination was introduced into the UK immunisation schedule for adults aged 70 years with a phased catch up programme for adults aged 71-79 years. Public Health England (PHE) has set up a number of new surveillance systems to monitor the impact and effectiveness of the vaccine programme including setting up a primary care surveillance scheme. Current advice is that adults should still be vaccinated even if they have had a recent episode of shingles. Although a decline in cell mediated immunity is thought to be associated with the development of shingles, there are limited data on the antibody decay following natural shingles and post vaccination. There is a need to investigate how long immunity is boosted for following a natural infection to help determine the recommended interval before vaccine should be offered. \nIn this study practices will recruit and follow up both vaccinated and naturally infected individuals collecting serial samples over one year to monitor antibody decline. To determine antibody decay age-specific trends in zoster incidence and vaccination for those aged 70-85 will be calculated and relative antibody titres will be associated with severity of disease and long-term complications. Adjustments for key variables such as age, gender, clinical risk group and incubation period will be performed. The study will also aim to collect information on how shingles has affected the lives of those diagnosed with the disease. This information will provide valuable new information on the personal and financial burden of shingles. \n
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1919
Date of REC Opinion
8 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion