Imported shingles vaccine available in Beijing, Shanghai

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, July 02, 2020
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BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) -- An imported vaccine against shingles for people aged 50 and above has been available in Beijing and Shanghai from the beginning of this month, the Science and Technology Daily reported.

The vaccine, Shingrix, was developed by British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline. China's National Medical Products Administration approved it for the market in May.

It is on a list of 48 "clinically urgently needed new drugs" for fast-track approval by the administration and is currently the only recombinant shingles vaccine to hit China's market.

Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus. It is characterized by a painful rash with blisters that wrap around either side of the torso.

"The disease also causes nerve pain, which can be more severe than labor pain or cancer pain. In some cases, it may lead to mental disorders and depression," said Xu Jinhua, a skin disease expert at Huashan Hospital in Shanghai.

Shingles affects nearly 3 million adults in China every year, with 1.56 million new cases.

According to scientists, people over 50 are at higher risk of shingles. With limited therapies available, vaccination is the most effective way to contain the viral disease.

The newly-available vaccine requires two shots over two months. Enditem

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