Table of Contents
How is Zostavax injection administered?
Administer ZOSTAVAX as a single 0.65-mL dose subcutaneously in the deltoid region of the upper arm. subcutaneously. ADMINISTER IMMEDIATELY AFTER RECONSTITUTION to minimize loss of potency. Discard reconstituted vaccine if not used within 30 minutes.
How do you administer the shingles vaccine?
Administering Shingrix Shingrix should be injected intramuscularly in the deltoid region of the upper arm. Subcutaneous injection is a vaccine administration error and should be avoided. However, if you inadvertently administer Shingrix subcutaneously, that dose is considered valid and does not need to be repeated.

How do you mix the zoster vaccine?
Gently swirl the vial until powder is completely dissolved. Do not shake vigorously. The reconstituted vaccine should be an opalescent, colorless to pale brownish liquid. After reconstitution, withdraw 0.5 mL from the vial containing the reconstituted vaccine and administer intramuscularly.
How many doses of Zostavax are needed?
CDC recommends a single dose of Zostavax® (zoster vaccine live) for people 60 years old or older, whether or not the person reported a prior episode of herpes zoster (shingles). People with chronic medical conditions may be vaccinated unless a contraindication or precaution exists for their condition.
How do you reconstitute Zostavax?
Do not freeze reconstituted vaccine. ZOSTAVAX is a lyophilized preparation of live, attenuated varicella-zoster virus (Oka/Merck) to be reconstituted with sterile diluent to give a single dose suspension with a minimum of 19,400 PFU (plaque forming units) when stored at room temperature for up to 30 minutes.

Is Zostavax one or two doses?
Zostavax is a live attenuated zoster vaccine that was FDA approved in 2006. As a live attenuated vaccine, Zostavax contains a live, weakened version of the varicella-zoster virus. Zostavax is administered in a single dose in adults aged 50 years or older.
When should shingles vaccine be administered?
Who Should Get Shingrix? Adults 50 years and older should get two doses of Shingrix, separated by 2 to 6 months. Adults 19 years and older who have or will have weakened immune systems because of disease or therapy should also get two doses of Shingrix.
Is Zostavax given IM or SUBQ?
Zostavax (zoster vaccine live) is administered subcutaneously as a single dose in the deltoid region. The vaccine should not be injected intramuscularly. However, it is not necessary to repeat vaccination if it is administered intramuscularly.
Can you have 2 doses of Zostavax?
It is a once only dose. Zostavax® is a live-attenuated zoster vaccine, containing approximately 14-times the amount of virus than the standard varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.
Do you stretch or pinch skin for IM injection?
Needle insertion Insert needle at an 45o angle to the skin. Pinch up on SQ tissue to prevent injecting into muscle. Aspiration before injection is not required. Multiple injections given in the same extremity should be separated as far as possible (preferably at least 1” apart).
Do you pinch for deltoid injection?
Do you pinch the skin when giving a deltoid IM injection? No, you should not pinch the skin if you are giving a deltoid IM injection because this may mean you inject the syringe contents into the subcutaneous tissue rather than the muscle.
Does Zostavax need to be frozen?
Zostavax (zoster vaccine live) must be kept at freezing temperatures, below are links to two documents that outline temperature and storage best practices for frozen vaccines.
How long is Zostavax at room temperature?
Dosage Forms And Strengths. ZOSTAVAX is a lyophilized preparation of live, attenuated varicella-zoster virus (Oka/Merck) to be reconstituted with sterile diluent to give a single dose suspension with a minimum of 19,400 PFU (plaque forming units) when stored at room temperature for up to 30 minutes.
Does Zostavax need a booster?
* A shingles vaccine called zoster vaccine live (Zostavax) is no longer available for use in the United States, as of November 18, 2020. If you had Zostavax in the past, you should still get Shingrix. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine the best time to get Shingrix.
Can Zostavax be given intramuscularly?
What is a syringe for reconstitution?
a reconstitution syringe is used to draw diluent from a. vial or ampoule and inject it into a vial containing dry. vaccine powder, forming an injectable suspension.
What vaccines need a diluent?
To reconstitute a vaccine, a lyophilized (freeze-dried) vaccine in one vial must be mixed with a diluent (liquid) in another….Related Tools:
H. influenzae (Hib) | Rotavirus |
HPV | Rubella |
Influenza | Smallpox |
Measles | Tetanus |
MenACWY | Varicella (chickenpox) |
Why was Zostavax discontinued?
These herpes lawsuits allege that the shingles vaccine was unsafe for patients. The key injury, incredibly, is that the Zostavax shingles vaccine causes shingles and zoster-related injuries. So the very thing meant to protect them against shingles actually caused shingles.