Zostavax (zoster vaccine live) is used to prevent herpes zoster virus (shingles) in people age 50 and older.
Herpes zoster is caused by the same virus (varicella) that causes chickenpox in children. When this virus becomes active again in an adult, it can cause herpes zoster, or shingles. Zoster vaccine is a live vaccine that helps prevent shingles.
Zostavax works by exposing you to a small dose of live virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
Zostavax is used to prevent herpes zoster virus (shingles) in people age 50 and older.
Zostavax will not treat shingles or nerve pain caused by shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia).
