CDC recommends shingle vaccination for elderly

The CDC recommends that all persons ≥60 years of age be vaccinated against herpes zoster (shingles) with Zostavax (live, attenuated varicella zoster vaccine, from Merck). This recommendation includes patients with a prior episode of shingles and those with chronic medical conditions. Zostavax was shown to reduce the occurrence of shingles by about 50% in adults ≥60 years of age and by 64% in individuals 60-69 years of age.

For more information visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/default.htm..