September 25th through October 1st has been designated National Adult Immunization Awareness Week by the CDC. One of the newest vaccines in the news is the adult shingles vaccine. The New York Times reports that, in an effort to get more adults vaccinated, the FDA recently approved the use of the shingles vaccine for those 50 and older, a reduction from the earlier 60 and older recommendation.
Every year shingles strikes 200,000 adults in their 50s. While the population becomes more vulnerable with age, only 10% of Americans aged 60+ have received the vaccine through the 2009 reporting year. For more information about recommended adult vaccinations from the CDC, we’ve included a link. You can also learn more about the cost and availability of the shingles vaccine, when you contact the Allergy, Sinus and Asthma Family Health Center.
