This medication is a vaccine used to prevent zoster (shingles) in adults 50 years and older. Zoster is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have been infected with chickenpox (usually in childhood), the virus can live in your body's nerve roots in an inactive form.
What disease does Zostavax treat?
Zostavax (zoster vaccine live) is used to prevent herpes zoster virus (shingles) in people age 50 and older. Herpes zoster is caused by the same virus (varicella) that causes chickenpox in children.Jul 28, 2021
What is Zostavax vaccine used for?
ZOSTAVAX is a vaccine that is used for adults 50 years of age or older to prevent shingles (also known as zoster). ZOSTAVAX contains a weakened chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster virus).
Who needs Zostavax?
Dr. Stalzer: I highly recommend that all people 50 and older get the vaccine, even if they've had the older vaccine Zostavax. Older people are at higher risk for getting shingles—incidence increases with age.Oct 15, 2018
When is Zostavax used?
ZOSTAVAX is a vaccine that is used for adults 50 years of age or older to prevent shingles (also known as zoster). ZOSTAVAX contains a weakened chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster virus). ZOSTAVAX works by helping your immune system protect you from getting shingles.
Why is Zostavax given subcutaneously?
This vaccine should be given subcutaneously to individuals with severe thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder, because these individuals may bleed following intramuscular injections.
Why was Zostavax taken off the market?
Zostavax—A Vaccine for Shingles—Found to Cause Shingles
The FDA asked Merck for another label change to warn those taking Zostavax that the vaccine could potentially cause necrotizing retinitis—an extremely serious eye disease.
The FDA asked Merck for another label change to warn those taking Zostavax that the vaccine could potentially cause necrotizing retinitis—an extremely serious eye disease.
Is Zostavax still available?
* A shingles vaccine called zoster vaccine live (Zostavax) is no longer available for use in the United States, as of November 18, 2020. If you had Zostavax in the past, you should still get Shingrix. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine the best time to get Shingrix.
Who Cannot get shingles vaccine?
Studies suggest protection against shingles with Shingrix may extend beyond five years. Talk to your doctor about your vaccination options if you: Have ever had an allergic reaction to any component of the shingles vaccine. Have a weakened immune system due to a condition or medication.
Which is better Shingrix or Zostavax?
Is Shingrix or Zostavax better? Shingrix is more effective than Zostavax. Shingrix is 97% effective at preventing shingles in adults aged 50 to 69 years old whereas Zostavax is only 70% effective at preventing shingles in the same age group.
Who produces Zostavax?
Zostavax was developed by Merck & Co. and approved and licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2006, In 2011, the FDA approved the live vaccine for use in individuals 50 to 59 years of age.
How is Zostavax administered?
Shingrix is the preferred vaccine, over Zostavax. Zostavax (zoster vaccine live) is administered subcutaneously as a single dose in the deltoid region. The vaccine should not be injected intramuscularly. However, it is not necessary to repeat vaccination if it is administered intramuscularly.
What is Zostavax vial?
This medication is a vaccine used to prevent zoster (shingles) in adults 50 years and older. Zoster is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have been infected with chickenpox (usually in childhood), the virus can live in your body's nerve roots in an inactive form.
Who Should Get Shingles Vaccine?
People 60 years of age or older should get shingles vaccine (Zostavax). They should get the vaccine whether or not they recall having had chickenpo...
Who Should Not Get Shingles Vaccine?
Some people should not get shingles vaccine (Zostavax): 1. A person who has ever had a life-threatening or severe allergic reaction to gelatin, the...
What Are The Types of Shingles Vaccine?
Zostavax® was licensed by the FDA in 2006 for use in the United States. It is given in one dose as a shot, and can be given in a doctor’s office or...
How Well Does Shingles Vaccine Work?
Zostavax®, the shingles vaccine, reduced the risk of shingles by 51% and the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia(https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/com...
What Are The Possible Side Effects of Shingles Vaccine?
A vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. However, the risk of a vaccine causing seri...
Indications and Usage For Zostavax
Zostavax® is a live attenuated virus vaccine indicated for prevention of herpes zoster (shingles) in individuals 50 years of age and older. Limitations of Use of Zostavax: 1. Zostavax is not indicated for the treatment of zoster or postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). 2. Zostavax is not indicated for prevention of primary varicella in…
Dosage Forms and Strengths
- Zostavax is a lyophilized preparation of live, attenuated varicella-zoster virus (Oka/Merck) to be reconstituted with sterile diluent to give a single dose suspension with a minimum of 19,400 PFU (plaque forming units) when stored at room temperature for up to 30 minutes.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
Do not administer Zostavax to individuals with a history of anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reaction to gelatin, neomycin or any other component of the vaccine. Neomycin allergy manifested as contact dermatitis is not a contraindication to receiving this vaccine. {1} - Immunosuppression
Do not administer Zostavax to individuals who are immunodeficient or immunosuppressed due to disease or therapy, as serious or fatal disseminated vaccine strain varicella-zoster virus disease may occur. Causes of immunodeficiency or immunosuppression may include, but are not limite…
Warnings and Precautions
- Hypersensitivity Reactions
Serious adverse reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred with Zostavax. Adequate treatment provisions, including epinephrine injection (1:1,000), should be available for immediate use should an anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reaction occur. - Transmission of Vaccine Virus
Transmission of vaccine virus may occur between vaccinees and susceptible contacts.
Adverse Reactions
- The most frequent adverse reactions, reported in ≥1% of subjects vaccinated with Zostavax, were headache and injection-site reactions.
Drug Interactions
- Concomitant Administration with Other Vaccines
In a randomized clinical study, a reduced immune response to Zostavax as measured by gpELISA was observed in individuals who received concurrent administration of PNEUMOVAX® 23 and Zostavax compared with individuals who received these vaccines 4 weeks apart. Consider admi… - Antiviral Medications
Concurrent administration of Zostavax and antiviral medications known to be effective against VZV has not been evaluated.
Use in Specific Populations
- Pregnancy
Risk Summary Zostavax is contraindicated for use in pregnant women because the vaccine contains live, attenuated varicella-zoster virus, and it is known that wild-type varicella-zoster virus, if acquired during pregnancy, can cause congenital varicella syndrome [see Contraindications (4… - Lactation
Risk Summary It is not known whether varicella-zoster vaccine virus is excreted in human milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for Zostavax, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child fro…
Zostavax Description
- Zostavax is a lyophilized preparation of the Oka/Merck strain of live, attenuated varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Zostavax, when reconstituted as directed, is a sterile suspension for subcutaneous administration. Each 0.65-mL dose contains a minimum of 19,400 PFU (plaque-forming units) of Oka/Merck strain of VZV when reconstituted and stored at room temperature for up to 30 minut…
Zostavax - Clinical Pharmacology
- Mechanism of Action
The risk of developing zoster appears to be related to a decline in VZV-specific immunity. Zostavax was shown to boost VZV-specific immunity, which is thought to be the mechanism by which it protects against zoster and its complications. [See Clinical Studies (14).] Herpes zoster …
Nonclinical Toxicology
- Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Zostavax has not been evaluated for its carcinogenic or mutagenic potential, or its potential to impair fertility.