Zostavax is a vaccine for adults older than 60 to prevent shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (a common side effect of a shingles infection). The vaccine was recommended even if a person had chickenpox or shingles previously. The vaccine offered approximately five years of protection. The vaccine was available to patients beginning in 2006. However, since Nov. 18, 2020, the Zostavax shingles vaccine is not recommended in the U.S.