Zostavax
Encyclopedia
Zostavax is a live vaccine developed by Merck & Co.
which has been shown to reduce the incidence of herpes zoster (known as shingles)
by 51.3% in a study of 38,000 adults aged 60 and older who received the vaccine. The vaccine also reduced by 66.5% the number of cases of postherpetic neuralgia
and reduced the severity and duration of pain and discomfort associated with shingles, by 61.1%. Local reactions at the injections site were generally mild.
Zostovax was approved and licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May, 2006. The FDA originally recommended it only for individuals 60 years of age or older who met the following requirements:
On October 25, 2006, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP) voted to recommend that Zostavax be given to all adults age 60 and over, including those who have had a previous episode of shingles, and those who do not recall having had chickenpox, since more than 99% of Americans ages 40 and older have had chickenpox.
On 19 May 2006, the European Medicines Agency
(EMEA) issued a marketing authorisation for Zostavax to Sanofi Pasteur for routine vaccination in individuals aged 60 and over. And in 2007, updated the marketing authorisation for routine vaccination in individuals aged 50 and over.
On March 24, 2011, the FDA approved Zostavax for individuals 50 to 59 years of age.
Merck & Co.
Merck & Co., Inc. , also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Merck headquarters is located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, an unincorporated area in Readington Township...
which has been shown to reduce the incidence of herpes zoster (known as shingles)
Herpes zoster
Herpes zoster , commonly known as shingles and also known as zona, is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a limited area on one side of the body, often in a stripe...
by 51.3% in a study of 38,000 adults aged 60 and older who received the vaccine. The vaccine also reduced by 66.5% the number of cases of postherpetic neuralgia
Postherpetic neuralgia
Postherpetic neuralgia is a neuralgia caused by the varicella zoster virus. Typically, the neuralgia is confined to a dermatomic area of the skin and follows an outbreak of herpes zoster in that same dermatomic area...
and reduced the severity and duration of pain and discomfort associated with shingles, by 61.1%. Local reactions at the injections site were generally mild.
Zostovax was approved and licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May, 2006. The FDA originally recommended it only for individuals 60 years of age or older who met the following requirements:
- Has not had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatinGelatinGelatin is a translucent, colorless, brittle , flavorless solid substance, derived from the collagen inside animals' skin and bones. It is commonly used as a gelling agent in food, pharmaceuticals, photography, and cosmetic manufacturing. Substances containing gelatin or functioning in a similar...
, the antibiotic neomycinNeomycinNeomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that is found in many topical medications such as creams, ointments, and eyedrops. The discovery of Neomycin dates back to 1949. It was discovered in the lab of Selman Waksman, who was later awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and medicine in 1951...
, or other component of the herpes zosterHerpes zosterHerpes zoster , commonly known as shingles and also known as zona, is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a limited area on one side of the body, often in a stripe...
vaccine. - Does not have a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS or another disease or medications (such as steroids, radiation and chemotherapy) that affect the immune system.
- Does not have a history of cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, such as leukemia or lymphoma.
- Does not have active, untreated tuberculosisTuberculosisTuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
.
On October 25, 2006, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services headquartered in Druid Hills, unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, in Greater Atlanta...
's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices provides advice and guidance on effective control of vaccine-preventable diseases in the U.S. civilian population. The ACIP develops written recommendations for routine administration of vaccines to the pediatric and adult populations, along with...
(ACIP) voted to recommend that Zostavax be given to all adults age 60 and over, including those who have had a previous episode of shingles, and those who do not recall having had chickenpox, since more than 99% of Americans ages 40 and older have had chickenpox.
On 19 May 2006, the European Medicines Agency
European Medicines Agency
The European Medicines Agency is a European agency for the evaluation of medicinal products. From 1995 to 2004, the European Medicines Agency was known as European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products.Roughly parallel to the U.S...
(EMEA) issued a marketing authorisation for Zostavax to Sanofi Pasteur for routine vaccination in individuals aged 60 and over. And in 2007, updated the marketing authorisation for routine vaccination in individuals aged 50 and over.
On March 24, 2011, the FDA approved Zostavax for individuals 50 to 59 years of age.
External links
Merck & Co.Merck & Co.
Merck & Co., Inc. , also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Merck headquarters is located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, an unincorporated area in Readington Township...
- Zostavax Product Page U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Vaccine Information Statement U.S. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCenters for Disease Control and PreventionThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services headquartered in Druid Hills, unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, in Greater Atlanta...
(CDC) - Zostavax (Herpes Zoster Vaccine) Questions and Answers Food and Drug Administration
- Zostavax product information European Medicines AgencyEuropean Medicines AgencyThe European Medicines Agency is a European agency for the evaluation of medicinal products. From 1995 to 2004, the European Medicines Agency was known as European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products.Roughly parallel to the U.S...
(EMEA) - Zostavax Patient Information Merck & Co.Merck & Co.Merck & Co., Inc. , also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Merck headquarters is located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, an unincorporated area in Readington Township...
- Zostavax Prescribing Information Merck & Co.Merck & Co.Merck & Co., Inc. , also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Merck headquarters is located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, an unincorporated area in Readington Township...
- Zostavax Full Prescribing Information Merck & Co.Merck & Co.Merck & Co., Inc. , also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Merck headquarters is located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, an unincorporated area in Readington Township...