Mapping the landscape of herpes zoster vaccine research: A bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND

Although effective vaccines are available, herpes zoster (HZ) remains a considerable global health concern, particularly among the elderly. This study aimed to systematically map the research landscape and evolutionary trends in HZ vaccine development.

METHODS

A comprehensive bibliometric analysis was conducted on 551 peer-reviewed publications from the Web of Science Core Collection database (retrieved before April 25, 2025). CiteSpace and VOSviewer were utilized to analyze research output, collaborations, and thematic evolution.

RESULTS

The United States leads in research output and international collaboration, with Vaccine identified as the primary journal publishing HZ vaccine-related studies. Current research evaluates vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy across populations, elucidating protection mechanisms (with glycoprotein E as a key antigen), and addressing real-world challenges like vaccine hesitancy and strategy optimization for high-risk groups. The analysis indicates that recombinant subunit vaccines are currently the most established and widely recognized, with emerging mRNA and virus-like particle technologies.

CONCLUSION

This analysis provides a holistic overview of HZ vaccine research, highlighting key trends and identifying critical gaps in long-term safety data and global vaccine equity. These findings are vital for informing future research and policy to enhance worldwide HZ prevention.