For people older than 60, the vaccine Zostavax was licensed by
the FDA in 2006 to prevent shingles. Shingles is a disease
caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes
chicken pox. After an attack of chicken pox, the virus lies
dormant in certain nerve tissue. As people age, it is possible
for the virus to reappear in the form of shingles, which is
estimated to affect two in every 10 people in their lifetime.
Shingles is characterized by clusters of blisters, which develop
on one side of the body. The blisters can cause severe pain that
may last for weeks, months or years after the virus reappears.
Studies showed that the vaccine reduced the occurrence of
shingles between 50 and 64 percent. Meningococcal conjugate
vaccine (MCV4) should be given to all children at their 11- to
12-year-old doctor visit, as well as to unvaccinated adolescents
when they enter high school (age 15) and unvaccinated college
freshman living in dormitories. Get checked and screened
Checkups and screening tests help