The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that all people age 60 and older receive a dose of herpes zoster vaccine (Zostavax), even if they've already had shingles.
   More than 95% of Americans are infected with the varicella zoster virus during their lifetime, often from contracting chickenpox. The virus then becomes dormant in the nerves and can be activated later in life to cause shingles. Clusters of blisters form along the path of a dermatome, causing severe pain that may last weeks, months, or even years.
   About 1 in 3 people develops shingles. Half of those who live to age 85 will experience it. The risk of shingles begins to rise at about age 50 and is highest in the elderly. In people age 60 and older, Zostavax reduces the occurrence of shingles by about 50%. For those ages 60 to 69, it reduces the occurrence by about 64%. The most common side effects are redness, pain, tenderness, swelling at the injection site; itching; and headache.
   Most older adults don't know how serious shingles can be. For those who do develop it, starting an antiviral drug with 72 hours of onset can reduce the pain and length of the outbreak.

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