FDA approves new shingles vaccine

WASHINGTON - A new vaccine that could put the pox on shingles for many adult sufferers of the often painful infection caused by the chickenpox virus has received federal approval, health officials said Friday.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine, Zostavax, late Thursday, Merck & Co. Inc. spokeswoman Christine Fanelle said. The vaccine is only for adults who previously have had chickenpox.

“This vaccine gives health care providers an important tool that can help prevent an illness that affects many older Americans and often results in significant chronic pain,” said Dr. Jesse Goodman, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12987702/

This is great news! I got a raging case of shingles when I first contracted HIV. I was only 22 at the time and it really piqued the curiosity of the doctors at the clinic. It HURT!!!!!!! Thank god for the huge bottle of Tylox they gave me!

had it as a kid & once at 22. not good. itched until i wanted to claw my skin off. i don't ever want it again.

Took months for them to go away.

This is good news. I hope it works.

will be able to afford the $ 152.50 for a single dose. My husband had shingles several years ago and still suffers from them even now that they are gone. Horrible scars. Nerve damage too. He doesn't wear a shirt at home. It bothers him that much.

Insurance should cover it.

Even for those without insurance, I'm betting the $152.50 will be more than worth it...I have a friend with shingles and it's actually debilitating at times.

On edit: Damn. I'm not old enough.

Ring of itchy deals from the center of my back to my stomach,
as well as the lightning-like pain under my arm.

Good to know that this med has been approved finally.

really, really, really bad case of shingles when I was 29, and when I say shingles,
I mean shingles - like a roof! I was in terrible pain for at least six weeks, then
it slowly faded and went away. I NEVER want that again!!
But gallbladder attack was the worst pain ever, even worse than labor.

When can I get vaccinated or am I done with the shingles?
Can it come back or am I now immune? :shrug: Anybody know?