UK first major European country to run Zostavax shingles vaccination program

The UK has decided to launch the first-ever national shingles immunization campaign in Europe using the innovative Zostavax (live varicella zoster vaccine ) vaccine from Sanofi Pasteur MSD, the joint venture in Europe between US drug giant Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK) and Sanofi Pasteur, a subsidiary of France’s Sanofi (Euronext: SAN).

Eligible senior members of the public will be able to receive the Zostavax vaccine during regular health visits or at the same time as their seasonal flu jab. The decision from the UK's Department of Health follows a comprehensive assessment of the health and economic benefits of shingles vaccination.

Zostavax is the first and only vaccine available for the prevention of shingles and the long lasting nerve pain that may follow the disease, known as post herpetic neuralgia. The vaccine is licensed in Europe for immunization of adults over 50 years - immunocompetent adults (SmPC) - and can be given as a single injection.