Which age group is targeted for Zostavax vaccination?

Which age group is targeted for Zostavax vaccination?

• A. 0-5 years
• B. 18-30 years
• C. 60 years and older
• D. 75-90 years

Answer: (C)

Zostavax is meant to boost immunity against varicella-zoster to prevent shingles, and the risk of herpes zoster and its complications rises significantly as people age due to waning cell-mediated immunity. Because this risk increases most noticeably after age 60, the vaccine is targeted for adults 60 years and older. Younger individuals have a much lower baseline risk and the benefit of vaccination in that group wasn’t established in initial approvals, so they aren’t the primary target. (Note: newer guidelines now emphasize Shingrix for adults starting at 50, but Zostavax specifically is associated with the 60-and-older group.)

Zostavax is meant to boost immunity against varicella-zoster to prevent shingles, and the risk of herpes zoster and its complications rises significantly as people age due to waning cell-mediated immunity. Because this risk increases most noticeably after age 60, the vaccine is targeted for adults 60 years and older. Younger individuals have a much lower baseline risk and the benefit of vaccination in that group wasn’t established in initial approvals, so they aren’t the primary target. (Note: newer guidelines now emphasize Shingrix for adults starting at 50, but Zostavax specifically is associated with the 60-and-older group.)