Paradigm shifting vaccines: prophylactic vaccines against latent varicella-zoster virus infection and against HPV-associated cancer

We compare the design, mechanism of action, and clinical efficacy of two recently licensed paradigm shifting vaccines. Zostavax is the first vaccine licensed to prevent disease in patients already infected with a pathogen, and is contrasted with Gardasil and Cervarix, the first vaccines designed and licensed specifically to prevent cancers.

► HPV vaccines are effective at preventing HPV related anogenital disease in men and women previously uninfected with HPV. ► Evidence of field efficacy of HPV vaccines is now available. ► As with most vaccines, induced antibody is of limited efficacy as a surrogate marker for protection. ► The herpes zoster vaccine is the first to prevent the consequences of reactivation of a latent infection. ► This vaccine prevents herpes zoster and often attenuates the disease when prevention fails. ► These beneficial effects of vaccination decline significantly at age 80 and greater.