Despite the severe, “day-disrupting” pain caused by shingles, prevention rarely features in health discussions among adults living with chronic illnesses. Highlighting this gap, GSK has urged stronger awareness around adult immunisation, citing findings from a global survey it commissioned. Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus responsible for chickenpox — can significantly impact quality of life, especially in older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
Ageing India: Living Longer, But Not Always Healthier
“India is living longer but not necessarily healthier,” said Shalini Menon, Executive Vice-President (Medical Affairs), GSK India. As life expectancy rises, more Indians are being diagnosed with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), kidney disease and chronic lung disorders. These conditions gradually weaken immune function, making ageing adults more vulnerable to infections like shingles. However, the survey revealed that awareness about the link between chronic diseases and declining immune health remains limited among older adults.
Survey Findings: Severe Pain and Work Disruption
The findings underline the growing burden of shingles in India:
*43% of Indian respondents who had experienced shingles reported severe, day-disrupting pain.
*More than one in three said the condition prevented them from working or attending social engagements.
*Patients with chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease reported the greatest disruption.
*Those with diabetes and CVD described the highest emotional toll.
These results reinforce the need to include shingles prevention in conversations around chronic disease management and healthy ageing.
Vaccine Rollout and Global Approvals
GSK launched its shingles vaccine in India in early 2023 for adults aged 50 years and above. While India is still at an early stage in adopting adult vaccination, the company has expanded approvals in other markets. In China, the vaccine has been approved for adults aged 18 years and above. Meanwhile, regulators in the United States have recently approved a pre-filled syringe version of the vaccine, designed to enhance convenience and administration efficiency.
Responding to a query, Menon said the pre-filled syringe system remains “on the company’s radar,” although it is too early to confirm any launch plans for India. At present, the two-dose shingles vaccine is available in India’s private market at approximately ₹11,000 per dose.
Building Evidence for Public Health Integration
Before expanding access through public health channels, GSK is collecting real-world data on the vaccine’s performance in India. This data, Menon said, will help determine the next steps toward integrating shingles vaccination into broader healthcare delivery systems. Importantly, the company aims to position preventive adult vaccination as part of a “life-course immunisation” approach — similar to childhood vaccination programmes. By doing so, policymakers could potentially reduce long-term healthcare costs linked to complications from preventable infections.
Japan’s Example: A Lesson in Preventive Strategy
To illustrate the urgency of preventive action, GSK cited Japan’s experience. By 2020, nearly 29% of Japan’s population was aged 65 and above. This demographic shift coincided with a more than 50% increase in shingles cases within that age group. In response, Japanese authorities incorporated shingles vaccination into immunisation protocols in certain provinces, targeting adults aged 65 years and older.
The Way Forward: Making Shingles Prevention Part of Routine Care
As India’s population ages and chronic disease rates rise, integrating adult vaccination into routine healthcare conversations will become increasingly important. Experts argue that preventive strategies — including shingles vaccination — must move from being optional discussions to standard components of chronic disease management. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, by prioritising immune health and life-course immunisation, healthcare providers and policymakers can better protect ageing adults from avoidable pain, productivity loss and long-term complications.