The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices unanimously recommended that Americans age 60 and over receive Merck's Zostavax vaccine to help prevent herpes zoster (shingles). Zostavax was approved last spring.

Zostavax has been shown to reduce the risk of developing shingles by 51% and to moderate symptoms in patients who have outbreaks. It's administered as a single-dose vaccination.

More than 90% of U.S. adults are at risk for shingles. About 40% to 50% of the estimated 1 million cases of shingles that occur each year occur in people age 60 and over.

Zostavax is contraindicated in persons with a history of anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions to gelatin, neomycin, or any other component of the vaccine; primary or acquired immunodeficiency states including leukemia, lymphomas, and other malignant neoplasms affecting bone marrow or the lymphatic system; AIDS; and active untreated tuberculosis. Refer to product labeling for more information.

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