10th Sep 2026 09:26
(Alliance News) - GSK PLC on Thursday said its Shingrix shingles vaccine has been approved by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour & Welfare.
The London-based pharmaceuticals maker said Shingrix has been approved in Japan for adults aged 50 and over since 2018, and for adults aged 18 and over at increased risk of shingles since 2023.
The vaccine previously came as two vials, which had to be combined manually before use. It now comes as a prefilled, ready-to-use syringe, making administration simpler and more convenient for healthcare professionals, GSK said.
Shingles is a viral infection that typically presents as a rash with painful blisters across the chest, abdomen or face. It can lead to post-herpetic neuralgia, which causes long-lasting nerve pain that can occasionally persist for several years.
GSK said approximately 1.1 million people develop shingles in Japan each year.
The prefilled syringe was launched in the US in February 2026 and is being launched in Europe throughout this year.
Shares in GSK were down 0.8% at 1,790.00 pence on Thursday morning in London.
By Niall Holden, Alliance News reporter
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