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.