Zostavax

On 1 June 2025, the European Commission withdrew the marketing authorisation for Zostavax (shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine (live)) in the European Union (EU). The withdrawal was at the request of the marketing authorisation holder, Merck Sharp \& Dohme B.V., which notified the European Commission of its decision to permanently discontinue the marketing of the product for commercial reasons. Zostavax was granted marketing authorisation in the EU on 19 May 2006 for the prevention of herpes zoster and herpes zoster\-related post\-herpetic neuralgia in people 50 years of age or older. The marketing authorisation was initially valid for a 5\-year period. It was subsequently renewed for an additional 5\-year period in 2010\. It was then granted unlimited validity in 2015\. The product had not been marketed in the EU since 1 May 2025\.