Studies: Shingles Vaccine Safe, Underused

A vaccine to prevent shingles is safe, but not used often enough, new research concludes. One study followed up on people who were in the study that led to approval of the vaccine in 2006. That study included 38,546 adults, age 60 or older. The new study focused on 6,616 of them to take a closer look at side effects. Researchers kept track of them for 3.4 years. In this time, people who got the vaccine and those who got placebo shots were equally likely to have hospital care or die. Right after getting the shots, people who got the real vaccine were more likely to have a skin reaction at the site. A second study surveyed 600 doctors. About 88% urged patients over 60 to get the vaccine. But only half that many recommended it strongly. Many doctors cited financial barriers. The vaccine costs $200. Fewer than half of the doctors knew that Medicare Part D will pay for it.