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<p>The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation reviewed the medical, epidemiological, and economic evidence, as well as vaccine safety and efficacy data relevant to a herpes zoster (shingles) vaccination programme, and recommended that a universal herpes zoster vaccination programme for adults aged 70 up to and including 79 years be introduced, provided that a licensed vaccine was available at a cost effective price. Zostavax® vaccine is the only market authorised shingles vaccine available in the United Kingdom.</p><p>A routine herpes zoster vaccination programme for those aged 70 began in England on 1 September 2013. A catch-up programme for the vaccination of those aged 71 to 79 years will also be undertaken, with those aged 79 to be offered the vaccine this year. Those aged 71 to 78 will be offered vaccination in future years, dependent upon vaccine availability.</p> |