Although most people are aware that the College of Medicine graduates 55 physicians each year, many of whom eventually practice in Winnebago County, the research enterprise of the campus is less well known. In particular, a remarkable breakthrough in the prevention of shingles occurred two years ago which should make every Rockfordian proud. Shingles is a painful skin rash that can cause itching and excruciating pain, and occasionally blindness.

Without a preventive vaccine it will impact 1 out of every 3 people and can be particularly serious for those who are elderly or have impaired immune systems. The exciting news is that a vaccine developed right here in Rockford is providing protection to millions of people around the world.

Two years ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new vaccine to prevent herpes zoster or shingles, a painful condition caused by the chickenpox virus. After childhood chickenpox, the virus becomes dormant in neurons and may reactivate in adults to cause shingles. The vaccine, marketed by GSK under the brand name ShingrixTM, is now the recommended vaccine for adults over age 50. It is not only safer, but is more effective than the existing live vaccine.

Abbas Vafai, Ph.D., the scientist who developed the Shingrix vaccine, worked on its development when he was an associate professor of microbiology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford from 1990 to 1997 and also had worked on the vaccine at the University of Colorado. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved the vaccine for use in October 2017. Since then, the Centers for Disease Control has recommended Shingrix for all adults over age 50.

Because of this, its use for all adults 50 years and older is warranted the only problem has been getting enough of it made to meet the worldwide demand. Vaccine shortage have been felt in Rockford and throughout the country.

We are incredibly excited about Dr. Vafais success with vaccine development and are extremely proud that a vaccine developed on the Rockford campus of the University of Illinois College of Medicine is now impacting the health of people worldwide.

Because some of the work on the vaccine was conducted on the Rockford campus, a portion of the profits will go to the College of Medicine Rockford. The total of what the College of Medicine Rockford and its Department of Biomedical Sciences may receive in royalties over the course of the seven years is predicted to be over $10 million. These are dollars that allow us to continue to educate tomorrows scientists and physicians and support cutting-edge research.

As the UIC Health Sciences Campus-Rockford on Parkview Avenue continues to thrive and grow, so does the Rockford community. In fact, an economic impact study conducted in 2016 indicated the campus had an impact of over $58.2 million to the Rockford Metro Area the equivalent of 898 jobs.

For those whose doctor recommends the Shingrix vaccine, they can expect the vaccine, given in two doses, will prevent what could be a serious and painful condition. The vaccine is also extremely effective in preventing a consequence of shingles called postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia occurs in 10% to 18% of individuals who have shingles and is characterized by a severe chronic pain condition that can last for years.

Biomedical research at the College of Medicine continues to explore new ways to improve health and prevent disease. State-of-the-art research in the areas of prostate cancer, lung cancer, eradication of parasitic infections, improving the longevity of joint replacements and stem cell treatment of severe debilitating neurologic diseases, occurs daily on campus. With the support of our community, the next major medical breakthrough could again come from the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford and its team of researchers in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and other academic departments.

Dr. Alex Stagnaro-Green is the regional dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford.

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Shingles vaccine makes an impact around the world and right here in Rockford - Rockford Register Star