Shingrix

This is one of the shingles vaccines

Ingredients:

Active ingredients:

gE antigen: a purified glycoprotein (a protein with a sugar attached to it) from the surface of varicella-zoster virus (the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles).

This vaccine also contains an adjuvant called AS01b, which contains 2 ingredients: MPL and QS-21. MPL is derived from a species of bacteria called Salmonella minnesota, and QS-21 is derived from the soap bark tree. QS-21 is also used as an adjuvant in a treatment for leukemia (a type of cancer) in cats.

Inactive ingredients:
Amounts are based on a 0.5 mL dose

Salts: help maintain the stability and pH of the vaccine

Carbohydrates (sugars): normally used as stabilizers in vaccines

Lipids (fats): lipids do not dissolve in water, so they are used to create a protective coating around the active ingredient. This coating is also called a liposome.

Other Stabilizers:

Relevant terms

Relevant Terms

Antibody: a protein made by the immune system in response to a foreign particle (antigen). These proteins circulate in the blood and help defend the body against the substance.
Antigen: This is any substance that triggers the immune system to create antibodies. For example, allergens such as pollen are antigens.
Adjuvant: a compound added to some vaccines to strengthen the immune response
Carbohydrates: Another name for sugars
Glycoprotein: a protein with a sugar attached to it
Lipid: substances that do not mix with water such as fats, hormones, waxes, and oils
pH: This is a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is. The scale ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic). A pH of 7 is neutral.

Sources

Last updated: Aug. 31, 2023