Live attenuated (Varivax/Varilrix/Zostavax) or recombinant subunit (Shingrix)
Varicella-zoster vaccine
Brand names: Varivax, Varilrix, Zostavax, Shingrix
Adult dose
Dose: Chickenpox (Varivax/Varilrix): 0.5mL SC x2 doses 4-8 weeks apart. Shingles (Shingrix): 0.5mL IM x2 doses 2-6 months apart. Zostavax: 0.65mL SC single
Route: SC/IM
Frequency: x2 doses
Clinical pearls
- UK shingles programme: Shingrix from age 65 (and 50+ if immunosuppressed) per JCVI 2023
- Chickenpox: non-immune adults at risk
Contraindications
- Pregnancy (live vaccines)
- Severe immunosuppression (live vaccines)
- Hypersensitivity
Side effects
- Injection-site reactions
- Fever
- Rash
- Myalgia
- Fatigue (Shingrix high)
Interactions
- Immunosuppressives
- Live vaccines
- Recent immunoglobulin
Reference: BNF; UKHSA Green Book Ch.28a/34; JCVI; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/varicella-zoster-vaccine/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.