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Home › Conditions › Herpes Zoster

Herpes Zoster

Subtypes of Herpes Zoster

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus 1 Ramsay Hunt Syndrome 1 Shingles 1

9 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for Herpes Zoster

65 trials tracked for Herpes Zoster: 43 in phase 3 or 4 and 28 with published results. The most-cited published study has 261 citations.

65Trials tracked
43Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
28With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 8 Phase 3 35 Phase 2 9 Phase 1 5 Other / NA 8
  1. Phase 3 Study to Evaluate Efficacy, Safety, and Immunogenicity of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals' Herpes Zoster Vaccine GSK1437173A Completed · 261 cited
  2. Phase 3 Study to Assess the Safety and Immunogenicity of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals' Herpes Zoster Subunit (HZ/su) Vaccine in Adults Aged 18 Years and Older With Blood Cancers Completed · 257 cited
  3. Phase 3 Immunogenicity and Safety of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals' Herpes Zoster Subunit (HZ/su) Vaccine in Adults 18 Years of Age or Older With Renal Transplant Completed · 195 cited
  4. Phase 3 Immunogenicity and Safety Study of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals' Herpes Zoster (HZ/su) Vaccine in Adults With Solid Tumours Receiving Chemotherapy Completed · 120 cited
  5. Phase 3 A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Inactivated Varicella-zoster Vaccine (VZV) as a Preventative Treatment for Herpes Zoster (HZ) and HZ-related Complications in Participants Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplants (HCTs) (V212-001) Completed · 96 cited
  6. Phase 3 A Long-term Follow-up Study (ZOE-LTFU) of Two Studies 110390 (ZOSTER-006) and 113077 (ZOSTER-022) to Assess the Efficacy, Safety, and Immunogenicity Persistence of GSK Biologicals' Herpes Zoster Subunit (HZ/su) Vaccine and Assessment of 1 or 2 Additional Doses in Two Subgroups of Older Adults Completed · 93 cited
Show 44 more trials
  1. Phase 3 Study to Evaluate Immunogenicity and Safety of GSK Biologicals' Herpes Zoster Subunit (HZ/su) Vaccine at 9 and 10 Years After Vaccine Administration and Assessment of Re-vaccination With 2 Additional Doses at 10 Years After Initial Vaccination, in Healthy Subjects Aged 60 Years of Age(YOA) and Older Completed · 79 cited
  2. Phase 3 Immunogenicity and Safety Study of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals' Herpes Zoster Subunit (HZ/su) Vaccine (GSK1437173A) in Adults ≥ 65 Years of Age With and Without Zostavax® Vaccination at Least 5 Years Earlier Completed · 72 cited
  3. Phase 3 Study to Evaluate Efficacy, Safety and Immunogenicity of GSK Biologicals' Herpes Zoster (HZ) Vaccine GSK1437173A in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older Completed · 65 cited
  4. Phase 3 Study to Evaluate Efficacy, Safety and Immunogenicity of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals' Herpes Zoster (HZ) Vaccine GSK1437173A in Adults Aged 70 Years and Older Completed · 64 cited
  5. Phase 3 Immunogenicity and Safety of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals' Herpes Zoster Subunit (HZ/su) Vaccine GSK1437173A in Adults With a Prior Episode of Herpes Zoster Completed · 53 cited
  6. Phase 3 Safety and Immunogenicity of Different Dosing Schedules of GlaxoSmithkline (GSK) Biologicals' Herpes Zoster (HZ) Vaccine in Adults 50 Years of Age or Older Completed · 51 cited
  7. Phase 3 Immunogenicity and Safety Study of ZOSTAVAX Administered by Intramuscular or Subcutaneous Route to Participants Aged From 50 Years Old (V211-045) Completed · 41 cited
  8. Phase 4 Efficacy, Immunogenicity and Safety Study of GSKs Recombinant Zoster Vaccine Shingrix (GSK1437173A) in Chinese Adults Aged ≥50 Years Completed · 36 cited
  9. Phase 3 A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Inactivated Varicella-zoster Vaccine (VZV) as a Preventative Treatment for Herpes Zoster (HZ) and HZ-related Complications in Adult Participants With Solid Tumor or Hematologic Malignancy (V212-011) Completed · 36 cited
  10. Phase 3 Study to Evaluate Immunogenicity and Safety Study of GSK Biologicals' Herpes Zoster (HZ) Vaccine GSK1437173A When Co-administered With Pneumovax 23™ in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older Completed · 36 cited
  11. Phase 3 Safety and Immunogenicity Study of GSK Biologicals' Herpes Zoster Subunit (HZ/su) Vaccine GSK1437173A When Administered Subcutaneously Intramuscularly in Adults Aged ≥50 Years Completed · 36 cited
  12. Phase 3 Safety and Immunogenicity Study of GlaxoSmithKline's Herpes Zoster Subunit Vaccine (HZ/su) When Given on a Two-dose Schedule to Adults at Least 50 Years of Age (YOA) With a Prior Episode of Herpes Zoster Completed · 36 cited
  13. Phase 3 A Study on the Immune Response and Safety of a Vaccine Against Herpes Zoster in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older in India Completed · 36 cited
  14. Phase 3 A Study on the Immune Response and Safety of the Shingles Vaccine and the Influenza Vaccine When Either is Given to Healthy Adults at the Same Time or Following a COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Completed · 36 cited
  15. Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Impact of Reactogenicity on Quality of Life (QoL), After Administration of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals' Candidate Herpes Zoster Subunit (HZ/su) Vaccine (GSK1437173A) in Adults ≥ 50 Years of Age Completed · 34 cited
  16. Phase 3 Study to Evaluate Immunogenicity, Safety, and Tolerability of ZOSTAVAX™ Vaccine (Zoster Vaccine Live, V211) Administered Concomitantly Versus Nonconcomitantly With Quadrivalent Influenza Virus Vaccine (Inactivated) in Participants ≥50 Years of Age (V211-062) Completed · 27 cited
  17. Phase 3 Study to Assess the Immunogenicity and Safety of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals' Herpes Zoster Subunit (HZ/su) Vaccine (GSK1437173A) When Co-administered With GSK Biologicals' Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis Vaccine (Boostrix®) in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older Completed · 26 cited
  18. Phase 3 Immunogenicity and Safety Study of GSK Biologicals' Herpes Zoster Vaccine GSK1437173A When Co-administered With Prevenar13 in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older Completed · 20 cited
  19. Phase 4 Zostavax® at Minimum Release Specification Approaching Expiry (V211-044) Completed · 17 cited
  20. Phase 3 Consistency, Immunogenicity and Safety Study of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals' Herpes Zoster (HZ) Vaccine GSK1437173A in Adults ≥ 50 Years of Age Completed · 11 cited
  21. Phase 4 Immunogenicity of Herpes Zoster Subunit Vaccine in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Treated With Vedolizumab Completed · 2 cited
  22. Phase 3 A Study to Test GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) Herpes Zoster (HZ) Subunit Vaccine's Long-term Immune Response in Previously Vaccinated Kidney Transplant Adults and Then to Test if 2 Additional Doses of the Vaccine Are Safe and Able to Generate an Immune Response Completed
  23. Phase 4 T Cell Responses to Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) Vaccine SLVP020 Completed
  24. Phase 4 Placebo Controlled Evaluation of the Cell Mediated Immune Response of Cirrhotic Subjects to Zostavax™ Completed
  25. Phase 4 Persistence of Protection by Shingrix Completed
  26. Phase 4 ZOSTAVAX™ Safety Study in Subjects ≥ 60 Years of Age (V211-020) Completed
  27. Phase 4 ZOSTAVAX™ Safety and Immunogenicity in Korean Adults (V211-034) Completed
  28. Phase 3 Phase III Study of ASP2151 in Herpes Zoster Patients Completed
  29. Phase 3 Cross-vaccination Study of GSK Biologicals' Herpes Zoster Subunit (HZ/su) Vaccine (GSK 1437173A) in Subjects Who Previously Received Placebo in ZOSTER-006 (NCT01165177) and ZOSTER-022 (NCT01165229) Studies. Completed
  30. Phase 3 A Study of an Investigational Zoster Vaccine in Subjects With a History of Varicella (Chickenpox) Given Concomitantly With Another Vaccine (V211-011) Completed
  31. Phase 3 A Study to Evaluate Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of an Investigational Zoster Vaccine In Subjects With a History of Varicella (Chickenpox)(V211-010)(COMPLETED) Completed
  32. Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Immunogenicity and Safety of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals' Herpes Zoster Vaccine GSK1437173A When Co-administered With GSK Biologicals' Seasonal Influenza Vaccine GSK2321138A in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older Completed
  33. Phase 3 Safety and Immunogenicity of Zoster Vaccine (ZOSTAVAX™) Made With an Alternative Manufacturing Process (AMP) (V211-042 AM1) Completed
  34. Phase 3 A Study of an Investigational Zoster Vaccine, in Subjects With a History of Herpes Zoster (V211-014) Completed
  35. Phase 3 ZOSTAVAX™ Administered Concomitantly With PNEUMOVAX™ 23 (V211-012)(COMPLETED) Completed
  36. Phase 3 Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of Zoster Vaccine Live (ZOSTAVAX™) in Healthy Adults in India (V211-025) Completed
  37. Phase 3 Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of a Booster Dose of Zoster Vaccine, Live (V211-029) Completed
  38. Phase 2 Study of Long Term Immune Responses and Safety of the GSK Herpes Zoster Vaccine in Healthy Subjects Completed
  39. Phase 2 ZOSTAVAX™ in Patients on Chronic/Maintenance Corticosteroids (V211-017) (COMPLETED) Completed
  40. Phase 2 Safety & Immunogenicity of GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals' Herpes Zoster Vaccine 1437173A Completed
  41. Phase 2 Study to Evaluate GSK Biologicals' Herpes Zoster Vaccine GSK1437173A in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Infected Subjects Completed
  42. Phase 2 Month 30 & 42 Extension Studies of CRD-004 Primary Study Completed
  43. Phase 2 Safety and Immunogenicity of the Zoster Vaccine GSK1437173A in Elderly Subjects Completed
  44. Phase 2 Immunogenicity and Safety Study of GSK Biologicals' Herpes Zoster Vaccine With Various Formulations in Adults >= 50 Years Completed

Showing the 50 most-cited and recently-updated of 65 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

What the trials found For clinicians

Herpes Zoster: what the trials found

The Herpes Zoster vaccine GSK1437173A (Shingrix) significantly reduces the incidence of confirmed Herpes Zoster (HZ) cases compared to placebo [1, 9, 17, 18]. Specifically, large-scale trials demonstrated a significant reduction in HZ episodes and associated Post-herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) [17, 18]. Long-term follow-up data for GSK1437173A showed sustained anti-glycoprotein (gE) antibody concentrations and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) over a period of up to 12 years 14.

Immunological assessments show that the vaccine induces high levels of anti-gE antibodies 10 and significant geometric mean fold rises in Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) antibody titers [7, 21]. While one study noted no statistically significant change in cell-mediated immunity specifically for Shingrix in a small cohort 3, other data confirm robust long-term immune responses following vaccination.

Safety profiles across multiple trials indicate that while local and systemic symptoms are reported following administration of various zoster vaccines, they are generally manageable. For example, studies on GSK1437173A recorded specific durations for local and general symptoms [10, 11, 12, 16, 20, 22]. One study noted that the percentage of participants discontinuing due to clinical adverse experiences was 0% 7.

For the clinician treating this condition

  • The GSK1437173A vaccine is highly effective in preventing confirmed Herpes Zoster cases and reducing the incidence of Post-herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) [1, 17, 18].
  • Vaccination provides durable immunity, with high anti-gE antibody concentrations maintained for at least 12 years post-primary vaccination 14.
  • The vaccine induces a significant increase in VZV antibody titers and maintains cell-mediated immune components [7, 10, 21].

AI synthesis of 4 cited trials, updated Jun 29, 2026. Informational only — not medical advice; trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. How we use AI.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of herpes zoster risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Rheumatology Meta-analysis
Systematic review and meta-analysis of herpes zoster risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Face Higher Shingles Risk Than General Public
This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized data on herpes zoster risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients. The pooled proportion of h…
People with rheumatoid arthritis have a much higher chance of getting shingles, and doctors must watch for specific risk factors like high s…
Frontiers May 9, 2026
Valacyclovir No Better Than Placebo for Stromal Keratitis in Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus
Infectious Disease RCT
Valacyclovir No Better Than Placebo for Stromal Keratitis in Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus Oral antivirals do not prevent eye inflammation in shingles patients
This secondary analysis of a randomized trial in 527 patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus found that oral valacyclovir 1 g daily did not…
A study of 527 people with shingles eye infections found oral antivirals did not stop inflammation. Close monitoring and low-potency steroid…
May 1, 2026
GWAS and Mendelian randomization link aging, rheumatoid arthritis, and herpes zoster via shared MHC signals
Genetics & Precision Medicine
GWAS and Mendelian randomization link aging, rheumatoid arthritis, and herpes zoster via shared MHC signals Shared genetic link found for aging, arthritis, and shingles
This genomic analysis integrates genome-wide association studies, multi-omics quantitative trait loci, linkage disequilibrium-aware colocali…
A shared genetic signal may explain why aging, rheumatoid arthritis, and shingles often overlap.
medRxiv Apr 30, 2026
Retrospective cohort identifies risk factors and predicts postherpetic neuralgia risk in patients with herpes zoster
Neurology Cohort
Retrospective cohort identifies risk factors and predicts postherpetic neuralgia risk in patients with herpes zoster New model predicts nerve pain risk following shingles outbreaks in patients
This retrospective cohort study evaluated 846 patients with herpes zoster to predict postherpetic neuralgia risk.
A new computer model predicts who will develop long-term nerve pain after shingles by spotting key risks like older age, diabetes, and sever…
Frontiers Apr 16, 2026
Systematic review of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome highlights cranial nerve involvement patterns and prognostic factors
Neurology Sys. Review
Systematic review of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome highlights cranial nerve involvement patterns and prognostic factors Review finds other nerves often affected in Ramsay Hunt Syndrome cases
This systematic review examined the epidemiology, clinical spectrum, and mechanisms of cranial nerve involvement in patients with Ramsay Hun…
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome often affects hearing and balance nerves alongside facial palsy, signaling more extensive disease and a poorer prognosi…
Frontiers Apr 14, 2026
Survey reports shingles vaccination coverage among US adults aged 50 years or older
Infectious Disease
Survey reports shingles vaccination coverage among US adults aged 50 years or older Survey examines shingles vaccination rates among US adults aged 50 and older
A US National Health Interview Survey report provides observational data on shingles vaccination coverage among adults aged 50 years or olde…
Health officials track shingles vaccination rates for adults aged 50 and older, but this survey report does not reveal the specific percenta…
CDC Apr 6, 2026
ACIP Recommends Recombinant Zoster Vaccine for Immunocompromised Adults Aged 19+
Allergy & Immunology
ACIP Recommends Recombinant Zoster Vaccine for Immunocompromised Adults Aged 19+ Health Panel Recommends Shingles Vaccine for Adults with Weakened Immune Systems
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has issued a recommendation for the use of the Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (RZV) in…
U.S. health experts now recommend two doses of the shingles vaccine for adults with weakened immune systems to help prevent the painful cond…
CDC Apr 4, 2026
Disseminated herpes zoster hospitalization linked to higher newly identified diabetes, prediabetes prevalence
Diabetes & Endocrinology Cohort
Disseminated herpes zoster hospitalization linked to higher newly identified diabetes, prediabetes prevalence Could a severe shingles infection signal hidden diabetes?
A retrospective cohort analysis of 564 hospitalized herpes zoster patients found disseminated presentation was associated with higher preval…
Widespread shingles could signal hidden diabetes, as severe cases show much higher rates of undiagnosed blood sugar issues than common rashe…
Frontiers Apr 3, 2026
Immunocompromised herpes zoster patients with CNS infection show higher encephalitis incidence and worse prognosis
Urology Cohort
Immunocompromised herpes zoster patients with CNS infection show higher encephalitis incidence and worse prognosis For shingles patients with brain infections, does a weakened immune system make things worse?
A retrospective cohort study of 166 herpes zoster patients with VZV-associated CNS infection found immunocompromised patients had significan…
Shingles patients with weakened immune systems face higher risks of severe brain inflammation and worse outcomes when treatment is delayed.
Frontiers Apr 3, 2026

Questions about Herpes Zoster

Does having diabetes make my Herpes Zoster infection more likely to be severe?

Yes, diabetes is linked to more severe herpes zoster, including higher rates of disseminated disease and complications like postherpetic neuralgia.

Full answer →
Is the Recombinant Zoster Vaccine recommended for immunocompromised adults aged 19 and older?

Yes, the Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (RZV) is recommended for immunocompromised adults aged 19 and older by the ACIP, with high efficacy and acceptable safety.

Full answer →
Does aging increase my risk of Herpes Zoster according to recent genomic studies?

Yes, aging increases herpes zoster risk. Genomic studies show age-related decline in VZV-specific immunity and shared genetic signals linking aging, autoimmunity, and viral reactivation.

Full answer →
What is the risk of getting Herpes Zoster if I have rheumatoid arthritis?

People with rheumatoid arthritis have a significantly higher risk of getting shingles compared to the general population, with studies showing an increased risk of about 30% to nearly 60% depending on age and other factors.

Full answer →