Systems Biology of Zoster Vaccine

The purpose of the study is to better understand how the immune system responds to the new herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine (Shingrix®). The study will be looking at certain markers in the blood after vaccination with Shingrix®.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) can cause two distinct diseases: chicken pox (varicella) and herpes zoster (shingles). The primary infection with VZV causes chicken pox, a widespread rash occurring with fever, mostly in childhood. The virus can then remain dormant in a person's body and has the ability to reactivate later in life causing shingles. Shingles is a painful rash, occurring mostly in older individuals or those who have a weakened immune system. After resolution of the rash, individuals may experience persistent pain in the same area, called post-herpetic neuralgia. The purpose of the study is to better understand how the immune system responds to the new herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine (Shingrix®). In particular, looking at certain markers in the blood after vaccination with Shingrix®. The study will be an open label clinical trial in healthy older adults. There will be two groups of participants: those aged 50 to 60 years or those who are 70 years old and above, both groups will receive the vaccine. This will help compare the immune response to the herpes zoster vaccine in different age cohorts of older adults. Subjects will be recruited by flyer advertisements. Interested individuals will be screened for the study and if they qualify they will be consented and enrolled in the study. Blood samples will be collected and banked. There are optional storage of data/specimens for future research including: being contacted for future studies, having contact information and limited medical information entered into a clinic database, and storage of Protected Health Information and samples for future research (yes, no, and de-identified).