Table 1.

Recommended dosage for herpes zoster vaccines

Vaccine	Vaccine type	Recommended dosage	Dosage categories	Source
Zostavax, Merck Canada, Canada	Live attenuated	Single dose comprises entire contents of vial (about 0.65 mL, containing varicella zoster virus ≥19 400 plaque forming units (PFU)). Administered by subcutaneous injection	Low dose: 3500-10 000 PFU×1 dose. Standard dose: 19 400-23 000 PFU×1 dose. High dose: 40 000-200 000 PFU×1 dose	Product monograph39
Shingrix, GlaxoSmithKline, Canada	Adjuvant recombinant subunit	Two doses 0.5 mL each (contains 50 μg varicella zoster virus glycoprotein E) with initial dose at month 0 followed by second dose anytime between 2 and 6 months later. Second dose is important to ensure maximum vaccine efficacy and duration of protection against herpes zoster. Administered by intramuscular injection, preferably in deltoid muscle	Low dose: 25 μg×2 doses. Standard dose: 50 μg×2 doses. High dose: 100 μg×2 doses	Product monograph40