Development of mRNA vaccines against herpes zoster

Herpes zoster (HZ), caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV), remains a substantial public health burden, particularly in aging populations, due to the risk of severe complications like postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). While existing vaccines (eg. Shingrix®) have advanced prevention efficiencies, they present notable limitations, such as high reactogenicity and complex manufacturing. mRNA vaccines represent a transformative alternative with rapid manufacturing, precise antigen design, and favorable safety. This review synthesizes the current landscape of mRNA vaccine development for HZ, focusing on the rational design of antigen constructs, innovations in lipid nanoparticle delivery systems, insights from preclinical immunogenicity studies, and the progress of leading candidates into clinical trials. In summary, this review highlights the potential of mRNA vaccines to address the limitations of current options, potentially offering a new paradigm for safer, highly efficacious, and scalable HZ prevention. Continued clinical validation is crucial to realize this potential and alleviate the global disease burden.