$160.00 Shingles vaccine, Big push to seniors

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Thu May 15, 8:00 PM ET ATLANTA - People 60 and older should get a one-time shingles shot that can help prevent the painful rash, U.S. health officials are recommending. There's a 50-50 (it use to say 49-51) chance the shot will prevent shingles for those 60 and up, though the odds get worse the older you get. But shingles can be severe for some people, and the government believes it's worth the $160-per-dose cost. Caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, shingles is a blistering skin rash most common in older people. It usually ends after four weeks, but one in five victims develop long-term nerve pain. Other complications include scarring and loss of vision or hearing. The chickenpox infects about 95 percent of Americans, although some suffer mild illness and may not know they've had it. As many

as one in three infected people develop shingles later in life. Even those who have already had shingles should get the shot if they are over 60, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The vaccination was recommended by an influential government advisory panel in 2006. (HAHAHAHAH ) The CDC officially adopted the recommendation this week. The announcement should encourage more doctors to give the shot and lead more private insurers to pay for it, said Kelley Dougherty of Merck & Co., the drug company that makes the only available shingles vaccine. About 2.5 million doses have already been distributed. Glad Day ~

Karla in IL *And YES< our owners and moderators will decide what they deem inappropriate or inaffective to their plea to us, to help them *fight* to stop all forced vaccinations. 'Nuff said. But as Jen suggested, do put OT (off topic) in the header of any post, when it is apropose'. **If there are any new members who are not familiar with the ongoing Ban Pampers Vaccine campaign petition, please read it. And if it is in your heart to sign it, it would be appreciated. http://gopetition.com/online/18870 128 signatures going to P & G today! *One of the most recent comments left, signee #125, is from one of our own members. I would like

to share it with you, and to thank Kelley, personally. "My staff and I will inform all of our patients, colleagues, friends, neighbors, etc. to stop buying P & G items and to have each person contact as many people as possible to boycott P & G. We will be removing all magazines in our office which reference/advertise P & G items. Unfortunately, we have seen too many adverse reactions from tetanus shots and DT (diptheria-tetanus) over the years and recommend that our patients refuse them, among other vaccines which cause severe reactions." (THANK YOU SEAN! ) ***Not sure if Ralph is still wanting this information from us, but if you have any, pass it along to him. Send personal emails to ralph.fucetola@ usa.net(with VACCINE AD in the subject line) telling how SPECIFIC vaccineads have mislead or misinformed you. Please identify the company andwhen and where the ad was run.