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Varicella zoster vaccine (V210 / Varivax / Varivax ISF)

✓ Approved

Merck & Co. · Vaccine · Vaccine

What is Varicella zoster vaccine?

Varicella zoster vaccine is a vaccine developed by Merck & Co.. It is approved for therapeutic indications via injectable (others) or intramuscular (im) injection or subcutaneous injection.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesV210, Varivax, Varivax ISF
CompanyMerck & Co.
Drug ClassVaccine, Large Molecules
RouteInjectable (Others), Intramuscular (IM) Injection, Subcutaneous Injection
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Merck & Co.

Therapeutic Indications

Varicella zoster vaccine is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Infections and infestationsVaricella zoster virus infection✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedJournal of medicinal chemistry2026-11-12

Rationally Designed TLR2-QS-21 Liposomal Adjuvant Enhances Immunogenicity while Reducing Reactogenicity in Subunit Vaccines.

Ma Wei W, Tang Renpeng R, Wang Hong H, Jia Hongbin H et al.

Potent vaccine adjuvants often link strong adaptive immunity with excessive inflammation. Here, we developed BQS01, a liposomal adjuvant that replaces the TLR4 agonist monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) with a synthetic TLR2 agonist (BXY-14) while retaining QS-21. BQS01 induced a TLR2-associated transcriptional profile, enhanced dendritic cell activation and T-cell priming, and was associated with increased IL-10 production. In ovalbumin and varicella-zoster virus mouse models, BQS01 generated antibody responses comparable to an AS01b-like MPL/QS-21 comparator and durable polyfunctional cellular immunity, while reducing systemic weight loss, local inflammation, and TNF-α accumulation. These findings suggest that innate signaling architecture, rather than inflammatory magnitude alone, contributes to adjuvant performance and may guide the design of next-generation vaccines with an improved immunogenicity-reactogenicity balance.

PMID 43018625
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PubMedAIDS reviews2026-11-12

Herpes zoster vaccination in people living with HIV: from evidence to implementation - A narrative review.

Van Nguyen Hung H, Thi Diem Le Trinh T

Herpes zoster (HZ) remains a significant, preventable cause of morbidity among people living with HIV (PLWH), who face increased risks of HZ, recurrence, and complications despite effective antiretroviral therapy. The recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV), a non-live, adjuvanted vaccine, is currently the preferred strategy for HZ prevention in immunocompromised adults. This narrative review synthesizes the evidence on the burden and pathogenesis of HZ in PLWH, RZV immunogenicity and safety, present vaccination recommendations, clinical considerations, and implementation challenges, with particular emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region. Available evidence indicates that RZV induces robust humoral and cellular immune responses and has a favorable safety profile in PLWH; however, HIV-specific evidence regarding clinical effectiveness, long-term durability of protection, and optimal timing of vaccination in the setting of advanced immunosuppression remains limited. International guidelines consistently recommend a two-dose RZV series for adults with HIV, without requiring a specific CD4+ T-cell threshold or virological suppression. Nevertheless, vaccine uptake remains constrained by cost, limited availability, inadequate patient and healthcare-provider awareness, vaccine hesitancy, and fragmented vaccination services. Future research should prioritize real-world effectiveness, durability of protection, cost-effectiveness, and determinants of vaccine acceptance, including behavioral factors, such as perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers. Integrating RZV into routine HIV care and strengthening implementation strategies, particularly across the Asia-Pacific region and other resourcelimited settings, will be critical to translating guideline recommendations into equitable vaccination coverage and reducing HZ-related morbidity among PLWH.

PMID 43018275
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PubMedAnnals of medicine and surgery (2012)2026-11-12

Ramsay Hunt syndrome presenting as a stroke mimic: a case report.

Yadav Aryan Kumar AK, Thapa Aayusa A, Saud Deepak D, Rima Sudesha S et al.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a late neurological complication caused by the reactivation of the latent varicella-zoster virus, leading to inflammation of the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). It typically presents as the classic triad of ipsilateral facial nerve palsy, otalgia, and a vesicular rash of the external ear. However, atypical or incomplete presentations may mimic central neurological disorders, resulting in diagnostic delays and an increased risk of permanent facial nerve paralysis. A 46-year-old man presented to the emergency department with slurred speech, headache, dizziness, and three episodes of vomiting, raising suspicion of an acute cerebrovascular event. Neurological examination revealed unilateral lower motor neuron facial nerve palsy, characterized by drooping of the angle of the mouth, flattening of the nasolabial fold, and an inability to smile on the affected side. The Glasgow Coma Scale score was normal, with preserved motor strength in all four limbs and normal plantar reflexes. Otoscopic examination revealed two to three vesicular lesions in the external auditory canal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed no evidence of acute intracranial pathology. Atypical presentations of Ramsay Hunt syndrome can lead to misdiagnosis in acute care settings, particularly when stroke is suspected. Normal neuroimaging findings and preserved limb motor function helped exclude cerebrovascular events in this case. Early initiation of antiviral and corticosteroid therapy within 72 hours was associated with clinical improvement. Ramsay Hunt syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with stroke-like symptoms. Early recognition and prompt treatment are essential for improving patient outcomes.

PMID 43017349
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PubMedBMC public health2026-11-12

Evaluating parents' perceptions of infectious diseases and their levels of protection in terms of vaccination attitudes and vaccine hesitancy.

Gökçay Gönül G, Küçük Hulya Incirkuş HI, Sezer Nazlı Akar NA, Aydin Cansu Mine CM et al.

This research was conducted to evaluate parents' perceptions of infectious diseases and their levels of protection in terms of vaccination attitudes and vaccine hesitancy. The research is descriptive and relational was conducted online with 560 parents of children aged 0-5 years between March 8 and November 8, 2024. Convenience sampling method was used in the study. For data collection, a questionnaire form including personal information form, Perception Scale on Communicable Diseases (PSCD), Parental Attitudes Towards Childhood Vaccines Scale (PACVS), and Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS) in parents of children under five years of age was used. The evaluation of data was performed via SPSS V-27.0 package program. A total of 560 parents took part in this study, and the participants scored an average of 148.81 ± 18.53 points on the PSCD total, 53.42 ± 8.91 points on the Vaccine Attitude Scale total, and 24.89 ± 8.49 points on the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale total. PSCD explains 13.4% of the total PACVS score. A low-level statistically significant correlation was found between the total PSCD and VHS scores. Parents' communicative disease perception and their protection levels affect their vaccination attitudes and vaccine hesitancy. Sociodemographic characteristics, vaccine knowledge and the sources from which they obtain information have both positive and negative relationships on vaccine attitude and vaccine hesitancy. In order to prevent the increasing vaccine refusal in the society, it is recommended that health professionals inform parents through individualized trainings on immunization.

PMID 43015717
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PubMedRevista paulista de pediatria : orgao oficial da Sociedade de Pediatria de Sao Paulo2026-11-12

Comparative safety of the 20-valent and the 13-valent pneumococcal vaccines in infants and toddlers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Ubaldo Helena Beckhäuser HB, Braga Maria Clara Abreu Vianna MCAV, Silva Elisama da Costa EDC, Lima Lenita de Melo LM

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the safety of the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine versus the 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine in healthy infants and toddlers. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane on January 20, 2026, for randomized controlled trials comparing the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in healthy infants and toddlers (0-3 years). We computed risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals for all outcomes, using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Five randomized clinical trials were included, comprising 5,604 patients, of whom 3,059 received the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. There were no significant differences between the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in adverse event incidence after doses 1-3 (risk ratio 1.00; 95%CI 0.92-1.10; p=0.952; I2=0%), or after dose 4 (risk ratio 0.90; 95%CI 0.76-1.07; p=0.238; I2=36%). Similarly, no significant differences were observed in serious adverse events, fever, irritability, and injection site pain. The 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was associated with a higher incidence of decreased appetite after doses 2 (risk ratio 1.13, 95%CI 1.02-1.24; p=0.019) and 3 (risk ratio 1.34, 95%CI 1.14-1.58; p<0.001). In contrast, a significantly lower risk of local redness was observed with the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine after dose 2 (risk ratio 0.93; 95%CI 0.86-0.99; p=0.034). The 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine demonstrated a safety profile largely comparable to the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, supporting its use in routine pediatric immunization programs.

PMID 43017995
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PubMedBMC infectious diseases2026-11-12

Human papillomavirus vaccine acceptability in Cameroon: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cheuyem Fabrice Zobel Lekeumo FZL, Achangwa Chabeja C, Tchamani Rick R, Tsapi Armand Tiotsia AT et al.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a key strategy for cervical cancer elimination. In Cameroon, HPV vaccine was introduced into the expanded program on immunization in 2020. However, synthesized evidence on vaccine acceptability is needed to guide policy. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of HPV vaccine knowledge, willingness to vaccinate, recommendation practices, and actual uptake in Cameroon, and to identify determinants of vaccine hesitancy. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and African Journals Online from studies to January 2025. Studies reporting willingness to vaccinate, knowledge, recommendation, and uptake of HPV vaccine were included. Pooled prevalence estimates and odds ratios were calculated using random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic. The study was reported following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO ID: CRD420261301213. Thirty-three studies were included. Among 4,993 participants, who were mainly healthcare workers (n = 1,739) and parents (n = 2,419), the pooled prevalence of willingness to vaccinate was 68.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 57.4-77.2; 12 studies; I² = 98%). The pooled prevalence of HPV vaccine knowledge was 41.3% (95% CI: 28.7-55.1; 33 studies; n = 8,175 participants; I² = 98%). Approximately two-thirds of participants (67.7%; 95% CI: 50.7-81.0; 8 studies; n = 1,617) reported recommending the vaccine, but actual uptake was 22.9% (95% CI: 6.9-54.5; 9 studies; n = 9,686). The vaccine coverage ranged from 1.6% to 90.6%. Willingness significantly declined from 74.2% before 2014 to 57.5% after 2021. Healthcare workers had the highest knowledge (74.5%) and willingness (77.8%) among included participant groups. Lack of HPV knowledge was associated with nearly three-fold higher hesitancy (odds ratio [OR]: 2.58; 95% CI: 2.06-3.22). High heterogeneity was observed for all pooled estimates, suggesting that they should be interpreted as average estimates rather than precise values. Despite moderate willingness, HPV vaccine knowledge and uptake remain low in Cameroon, with marked disparities across regions and populations. Addressing knowledge gaps and strengthening context-specific vaccination strategies are needed to improve coverage.

PMID 43015661
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