Scientific justification for the decision not to recommend the herpes zoster live vaccine as a standard vaccine

The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) currently does not recommend a generalized use of the herpes zoster (HZ) life vaccine as a standard vaccine for the prevention of HZ, its complications and long-term effects. The STIKO has made this decision after processing the data on the safety and efficacy of the live HZ vaccine according to its standard procedure (SOP). The available data on the epidemiology of HZ in Germany as well as modeling results on epidemiological and health economic effects of this vaccine were taken into account.