WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Advisers to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are backing Merck's shingles vaccine Zostavax for adults over 60.
According to Merck, CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted unanimously to recommend that adults 60 years of age and older receive Zostavax to help prevent shingles -- also called herpes zoster -- an often painful condition characterized by a blistering rash.
The Food and Drug Administration approved Zostavax for that patient population May 25.
"Zostavax is the only medical option approved for the prevention of shingles and represents a major public health advance for people age 60 and older," said Mark Feinberg, vice president of policy, public health and medical affairs at Merck Vaccines. "While a number of health plans are already offering insurance coverage of ZOSTAVAX, the panel's recommendation is likely to further increase coverage of the vaccine and further expand access to it among older people in the United States."
Insurers usually follow the panel's recommendations, Merck said.
