Protein subunit vaccine · Vaccine (Shingles)
Zoster vaccine
ShingrixBiologicRecombinant varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein E
RCSB PDB 7K1S · 3D model
Drag to rotate. Scroll or pinch to zoom.
Trains the immune system to recognize the shingles virus using a single lab-made viral protein, with no live virus involved.
How it works
Instead of using a weakened or live virus, Shingrix uses just one protein piece from the shingles virus, called glycoprotein E. Your immune system learns to recognize this single piece as foreign. A built-in booster ingredient helps your body mount a strong, lasting defense against it. Because there's no live virus in the shot, it cannot give you chickenpox or shingles.
What it’s used for
Used to help prevent shingles in adults 50 and older, and in adults 18 and older whose immune systems are weakened by a disease or treatment. It is not a chickenpox vaccine.
- Mechanism
- Recombinant varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein E
- Drug class
- Protein subunit vaccine
- Therapeutic area
- Vaccine (Shingles)