GSK secures Japanese approval for prefilled syringe version of Shingrix

GSK has recently announced that Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved a prefilled syringe presentation of Shingrix for the prevention of shingles, also known as herpes zoster.

The vaccine was previously supplied in two separate vials, a dry, freeze-dried antigen and a liquid adjuvant, which had to be manually combined before administration. The new prefilled syringe arrives ready to use, simplifying the process for healthcare professionals.

Shingrix is a non-live, recombinant sub-unit vaccine that has been approved by Japan’s health ministry for preventing herpes zoster in adults aged 50 and older since 2018, and in adults aged 18 and older who face an increased risk of the condition since 2023. Roughly 1.1 million people in Japan develop shingles annually, with risk rising with age and among individuals with weakened immune systems.

Sanjay Gurunathan, GSK’s head of vaccines and infectious diseases research and development, said shingles is a disease that one in three adults worldwide will experience during their lifetime, and that it can lead to serious, long-lasting complications. He said GSK is pleased to support the healthcare community in Japan by making its shingles vaccine easier to administer.

GSK’s prefilled syringe launched in the United States in February 2026 and is being introduced across Europe throughout the year. The approval is based on data confirming technical comparability between the prefilled syringe and the vaccine’s existing presentation. The new format does not involve any change to the vaccine’s indication or dosing.

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