The Australian Immunisation Handbook has been updated to reflect the removal of Zostavax, a vaccine used to protect against zoster, also referred to as shingles. Zoster is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes varicella (chickenpox).
Zostavax was a live-attenuated vaccine previously available under the National Immunisation Program, and was replaced by Shingrix in November 2023.
The following sections of the Australian Immunisation Handbook have been updated:
MVEC: Zoster (herpes zoster) (please note that MVEC’s immunisation reference page has also been updated to reflect the removal of Zostavax)
Australian Immunisation Handbook