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news.The FDA has approved Merck's new vaccine Zostavax for prevention of herpes zoster, otherwise known as shingles, in individuals 60 years of age and older.
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Shingles is a frequently painful disease marked by a blistering rash. Caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox, shingles can lead to severe complications including long-term nerve pain which can last for months or even years.
“Zostavax is the first and only medical option approved for the prevention of shingles,” said Dr William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville. “Approval of a vaccine against shingles represents a major public health advance for people 60 and older.”
According to the company, about 40% to 50% of an estimated 1 million cases of shingles that occur in the US each year occur in people age 60 and older. Shingles can be unpredictable and can occur without warning at any time.
“Zostavax is unique because in contrast to other vaccines that help prevent a primary infection, Zostavax helps prevent reactivation of a virus that's already inside the body,” added Dr Ann Arvin, professor of pediatrics, infectious diseases and microbiology and immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, who studied the vaccine.