Friday, May 16, 2008

CDC Recommends People 60 and Older Receive the Shingles Vaccine

The Center’s for Disease Control has created guidelines that all citizens 60 years of age or older should receive the shingles vaccine ZOSTAVAX. Insurance companies should now reimburse the cost of the vaccinations.

One million cases of shingles are reported each year with half the cases occurring in people 60 years old or older. 50% of all people reaching the age of 85 will contract shingles. Shingles is caused by chickenpox virus, and its effects range from mild to debilitating.

ZOSTAVAX reduces the likelihood of getting shingles by 50%. The cost of the Merck vaccine is approximately $150.

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