More than 1,000 people have been immunized so far at 20 other collaborating centers. It tests a more potent version of the vaccine used to immunize children against the chickenpox virus. Earlier studies have shown the study vaccine to be safe and well-tolerated. At 68, Dr. Brunell believes strongly in the new vaccine's potential. Zoster, or shingles, is a very significant concern for those of us over 60, as the chance of getting it increases and the condition is often more severe as we grow older.
Shingles is a major health problem in older adults.
Any individual has a 20 percent chance of developing it during his or her lifetime. Of the hundreds of thousands of people in the United States who will be diagnosed with shingles this year, most will be over age 60. After a person has had chickenpox, VZV remains in the nerve cells by the spinal cord for life but is usually dormant. If it becomes reactivated, however, it can cause shingles. Other serious complications, such as blindness or hearing loss, may also occur.