In this section
@article{Ku:2026:10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128405,
author = {Ku, C-C and Rosello, A and Walker, J and Pouwels, KB and Baguelin, M and Davies, NG and Jit, M},
doi = {10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128405},
journal = {Vaccine},
title = {The epidemiological effect and cost-effectiveness of expanded age eligibility for recombinant zoster vaccination in England.},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128405},
volume = {78},
year = {2026}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - INTRODUCTION: Since September 2023, England's national immunisation programme has offered the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) to adults aged 65-79 as a preventative measure against shingles (herpes zoster) and its complications. However, adults aged 80 and over are currently not eligible for the vaccine. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of providing RZV to adults aged 80 and older in England. METHODS: This cost-utility analysis employs a static cohort model considering herpes zoster (HZ) cases and severe cases leading to post-herpetic neuralgia, HZ-related hospitalisation, and deaths from the perspective of the National Health Service. The long-term impacts of RZV are assessed using the model, accounting for changing population demographics and the previously-offered live zoster vaccine (ZVL). We consider different eligibility scenarios for RZV focusing on the older population (80+ years old) and provide comparisons to the pre-2023 programme. RESULTS: Expanding the current programme to offer a single dose of RZV to people aged 80 and up is likely to be cost-effective relative to the current programme. Offering two doses to this group would be less cost-effective but would offer greater protection against HZ. For preventing health-related quality of life loss, it is most efficient to vaccinate 60-69-year-olds, but for averting hospitalisation costs, it is most efficient to vaccinate 80-89-year-olds. CONCLUSION: Providing one or two doses of RZV for older adults can be cost-effective and would reduce the healthcare burden of shingles.
AU - Ku,C-C
AU - Rosello,A
AU - Walker,J
AU - Pouwels,KB
AU - Baguelin,M
AU - Davies,NG
AU - Jit,M
DO - 10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128405
PY - 2026///
TI - The epidemiological effect and cost-effectiveness of expanded age eligibility for recombinant zoster vaccination in England.
T2 - Vaccine
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128405
UR - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41785676
VL - 78
ER -
For any enquiries related to the MRC Centre please contact:
Scientific Manager
Susannah Fisher
mrc.gida@imperial.ac.uk
External Relationships and Communications Manager
Dr Sabine van Elsland
s.van-elsland@imperial.ac.uk