Zostavax, a live attenuated vaccine against shingles (herpes zoster) has been 
available in Switzerland since 2008. In a population aged 60 and over, evidence 
suggests the vaccine effectively reduces the incidence of shingles and some of 
its corresponding complications. More importantly, in terms of public health, 
vaccination appears to reduce the burden of illness and be pharmaco-economically 
viable. Despite being part of the vaccination programmes in the United States 
and several European countries, the vaccine is not yet part of the Swiss 
vaccination programme. Should Switzerland follow suit by incorporating Zostavax 
into their vaccination policy?