Dùng Zostavax hủng ngừa giảm nguy cơ bệnh con giời FDA Licenses New Vaccine to Reduce Older Americans’ Risk of Shingles The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed Zostavax, on May 25, 2006, a new vaccine to reduce the risk of shingles (herpes zoster) for use in people 60 years of age and older. "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 Jesse L. Goodman, MD, MPH, Director of FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Zostavax, a live virus vaccine, was shown to boost immunity against varicella-zoster virus. This is thought to be the mechanism by which the vaccine protects against zoster and its complications. The vaccine is given as a single injection under the skin, preferably in the upper arm. Zostavax was studied in approximately 38,000 individuals throughout the United States who were 60 years of age and older. Of these 38,000 people, half received Zostavax and half received a placebo. All study participants were then followed for an average of three years to see if they developed shingles and, if they did, how long the pain lasted. At the conclusion of the study, researchers found that, overall, in those ages 60 and above the vaccine reduced the occurrence of shingles by about 50%. For individuals ages 60-69 it reduced occurrence by 64%. In addition to preventing approximately half of the cases, the duration of pain following the onset of shingles was slightly reduced in people who developed the disease–despite being vaccinated with Zostavax. As part of the development program, a smaller study was conducted to look more closely at safety. In this smaller study, serious adverse events for all age groups were noted more frequently in those who received Zostavax (1.9%) than those who received placebo (1.3%). Although FDA has concluded that the available data do not establish that these events are related to the vaccine, the manufacturer will perform a Phase 4 (postmarket) study to provide additional safety information. Zostavax is manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc., of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. . Dùng Zostavax hủng ngừa giảm nguy cơ bệnh con giời FDA Licenses New Vaccine to Reduce Older Americans’ Risk of Shingles The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed Zostavax, . the upper arm. Zostavax was studied in approximately 38,000 individuals throughout the United States who were 60 years of age and older. Of these 38,000 people, half received Zostavax and half. people who developed the disease–despite being vaccinated with Zostavax. As part of the development program, a smaller study was conducted to look more closely at safety. In this smaller study,