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Zostavax

Persons with a history of chickenpox as a child are at risks of developing shingles as an older adult. Shingles is a very painful syndrome affecting the skin. This infection occurs when the latent chickenpox virus reoccurs as herpes zoster (better known as shingles).

Zostavax is approved for the preventions of shingles in persons 60 years or older. Zostavax is not a treatment for active shingles and has not been studied on individuals with a history of shingles.

Who shouldn't use Zostavax?

  • Persons with a history of allergies to gelatin, neomycin, or an other component of the vaccine
  • Persons with a history of acquired immunodeficiency states (including leukemia), lymphomas of any type, or any other immunosuppressive diseases
  • Anyone taking immunosuppressive therapy
  • Persons with active untreated TB
  • Pregnant women

    • Visit the Zostavax website for more information.