IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Differential effect of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (RZV) and Zoster Vaccine Live (ZVL) in a controlled human infection model (CHIM) of VZV reactivation

Differential effect of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (RZV) and Zoster Vaccine Live (ZVL) in a controlled human infection model (CHIM) of VZV reactivation

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Video Summary

Researchers compared two shingles vaccines—recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) and live zoster vaccine (ZVL)—using a controlled human VZV challenge in adults over 50. The model successfully triggered viral replication, with VZV DNA and transcripts detected after challenge and immune responses rising in blood and skin. RZV produced faster, more targeted immunity than ZVL, especially in recently vaccinated participants, including earlier NK and CD8 activity and, most importantly, early CD4 cytotoxic T-cell responses. Higher day-1 CD4 CD107A+ cells were associated with lower viral DNAemia by day 3, suggesting these cells are a correlate of protection. T-cell receptor sequencing showed RZV generated more VZV/GE-specific clonotypes before challenge and these were more abundant in skin afterward. Overall, RZV appears to “pre-position” antigen-specific T cells for rapid control of reactivation, while ZVL elicits slower, more inflammatory responses.

Meta Tag

Date April 16, 2026 1:45 PM - 2:00 PM

Room 102

Session Learning about Human Immune Responses from Vaccination and Immunotherapy

Speaker Adriana Weinberg

Track Vaccines and Immunotherapy (VAC)

Year 2026

Keywords

shingles vaccines

recombinant zoster vaccine

live zoster vaccine

VZV challenge

CD4 cytotoxic T cells

April 16, 2026 1:45 PM - 2:00 PM

102

Learning about Human Immune Responses from Vaccination and Immunotherapy

Adriana Weinberg

Vaccines and Immunotherapy (VAC)

2026