In February 2024 the University Hospital Southampton announced that volunteers aged 50 and over are being invited to participate in a trial that combines the shingles vaccine with a COVID-19 or flu vaccine. The study, ZosterFluCOV, will be conducted at the Southampton Clinical Research Facility and Southampton Research Hub, coordinated by the Bristol Trials Centre, and funded by GSK. It will investigate the safety and immune responses of the approved shingles vaccine (Shingrix) alongside either the COVID-19 booster or influenza vaccines from the 2023/2024 programme.
Shingles
Shingles (herpes zoster) is an infection that can cause a rash on the skin as well as a tingling or painful sensation. The NHS states that “one in three people” will get shingles in their lifetime, which occurs when old chickenpox infection is “reactivated”. The Shingrix vaccine stops “most” people from getting shingles and reduces the effects of infection in others. The vaccine is offered to people at 65 years old.
Fewer trips for more vaccines
As the vaccine is offered to people aged 65 and over, who are also offered the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, researchers are considering the possibility of combining the administration of these vaccines to reduce the number of visits to a GP and increase effectiveness. Dr Chris Holroyd, consultant rheumatologist at University Hospital Southampton, commented that “older people are offered an ever-increasing number of vaccines” to combat “different infections”.
“We are really keen to find ways to combine these vaccines, to make it easier for people to take up these offers and reduce their risk of certain infections.”
Participants in the trial
One of the trial participants is Alison Lamball from Gosport, who had recently had shingles and became “very unwell”. She commented that “because I have MS, my nerves really overreacted” and caused so much pain she unfortunately became suicidal.
“By taking part in the trial I am hoping to protect myself and others. I have eight grandchildren, and taking part means I am helping their futures too.”
Another participant is Clare Tull from Romsey, who is taking part so that she can protect others like her father who is “85 and frail”.
“Taking part benefits my whole family – we’ve lost loved ones to COVID-19 and so we like to be really involved in vaccines and immunisations. We understand the importance of research.”
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