Here's some data for you to review if you are considering Shingles vaccine. Just don't forget there are natural and effective ways to treat and often prevent shingles. Why take a risk with a vaccine?
Zostavax is recommended for people 60 and older, and it only protects half of those vaccinated. The attenuated virus, which means it's still alive, just "weakened, is 14 times as potent as the chickenpox vaccine.
Do not get this vaccine if you are allergic to any ingredients, many people are allergic to sugar and MSG and may not know it. FMI - http://www.novaccine.com/specific-vaccines/vaccine.asp?v_id=36ZOSTAVAX is a lyophilized preparation of the Oka/Merck strain of live, attenuated varicella-zoster virus (VZV). ZOSTAVAX, when reconstituted as directed, is a suspension for subcutaneous administration. Each 0.65-mL dose contains a minimum of 19,400 PFU (plaque-forming units) of Oka/Merck strain of VZV when reconstituted and stored at room temperature for up to 30 minutes.Each dose contains 31.16 mg of sucrose, 15.58 mg of hydrolyzed porcine gelatin, 3.99 mg of sodium chloride, 0.62 mg of monosodium L-glutamate, 0.57 mg of sodium phosphate dibasic, 0.10 mg of potassium phosphate monobasic, 0.10 mg of potassium chloride; residual components of MRC-5 cells including DNA and protein; and trace quantities of neomycin and bovine calf serum. The product contains no preservatives.