Varicella zoster virus vaccines: an update

Figures & data

Table 1 Varicella vaccination; recommendations by country

Country	General Recommendation	Catch-Up	Funded by National Health system
Australia	D1 MMRV, 18 months, D2 children <14 years who have had one dose of varicella vaccine but want to get a second dose to further reduce their risk of disease	<20 years of age	D1 only
Austria	D1 and D2 between 12 and 23 months (≥4 weeks interval)	9–18 years	No
Belgium	Specific groups only ≥12 years (2 doses; 4–8 weeks interval)	–	No
Canada	One or two doses recommended on a territorial basis	Territorial	Territorial
Cyprus	D1 13–18 months, D2 4–6 years	–	No
Czech Republic	Specific groups only; D1 MMRV 13–18 months, D2 5–6 MMRV years or V ≥18 years	–	No
Finland	D1 MMR+V 12 months; D2 MMRV 6 years	–	Yes
Germany	D1 MMR+V, 11–14 months, D2 MMRV 15–23 months	2–17 years	Yes
Greece	D1 MMR+V 12–15 months, D2 MMRV 4–6 years; Specific groups ≥18 years	18 months-4 years	Yes
Italy^a	D1 MMRV (preferred) or MMR+V 13–15 months, D2 MMRV (preferred) or MMR+V 5–6 years	Susceptible subjects ≥12 years	Yes
Japan	D1 12–15 months, D2 18–23 months (≥3 months interval)	–	Yes
Latvia^a	D1 12–18 months, D2 7 years^b	–	Yes
Luxembourg	D1 MMRV 12 months, D2 MMRV 15–23 months	–	Yes
New Zealand	D1 15 months, D2 only specific groups (≥6 weeks interval)	11 years	Yes^c
Poland	Specific groups only, 9 months–12 years	–	Yes
Spain	D1 MMR+V 15 months, D2 MMRV 2–4 years	12 years	Yes
United Kingdom	Specific groups only ≥1 year (2 doses; 4–8 weeks interval)	–	Yes
United States	D1 MMRV or MMR+V 12–15 months, D2 MMRV or MMR+V 4–6 years	≥18 months	No

Notes: ^aMandatory vaccination. ^bChildren who have received the first dose of the vaccine against varicella and who have not contracted the illness shall receive the second dose. ^cIt is also recommended but not funded: 1 dose for all susceptible healthy children aged under 13 years who do not meet the eligibility criteria for the funded dose; 2 doses, at least 6 weeks apart, for all susceptible adolescents and adults.

Abbreviations: D1, first dose; D2, second dose.

Table 2 Herpes zoster vaccination; recommendations by country

Country	Age of recommendation	Recommended Vaccine	Funded by National Health system
Australia	Subjects aged 70–79	ZVL	Yes
Austria	Subjects aged ≥50 years	RZV	No
Canada	Subjects aged ≥50 years	RZV	Ontario province only
Czech Republic	Subjects aged ≥50 years and specific groups	ZVL	No
France	Subjects aged 65–74 years, catch-up 75–79	ZVL	Yes
Germany	Subjects aged ≥60 years and specific groups	RZV	Yes
Greece	Subjects aged ≥60 years	ZVL	Yes
Italy	Subjects aged ≥65 years and specific groups	ZVL	Yes
Japan	Subjects aged ≥50 years	VVL^a	No
New Zealand	Subjects aged 65 years, catch-up 66–80 years	ZVL	Yes
United Kingdom	Subjects aged 70–78 years	ZVL	Yes
United States	Subjects aged ≥50 years	RZV^b	No

Notes: ^aVVL=Varicella Vaccine Live. The titer of the VVL used for HZ prevention in Japan is similar to that of the ZVL (42,000–67,000 PFU per dose). ^bRZV preferred, recommended for immunocompetent adults aged ≥50 years; ZVL may still be used in healthy adults ≥60 years.