Question: My local drugstore is advertising the shingles vaccine. Is this shot worth getting?

Dr. Hibberd's answer:
If you are over age 50, the shingles vaccine may help you avoid getting shingles. And if you've had shingles, the vaccine is still recommended to help prevent a recurrence. The CDC recommends a single dose of the shingles vaccine for people age 60 and older. Studies have shown that the vaccine reduces the risk of developing shingles by about 50 percent, and reduces nerve pain in those who do get shingles. The nerve pain associated with shingles can be very severe. The shingles vaccine is a live virus vaccine and is not for immunosuppressed individuals. Do not get the shingles vaccine if you have a fever, HIVAIDS or any other immune-suppressing disase, if you are taking chemotherapy, or if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant in the next three months