The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has come out and recommended that everyone over the age of 60 should receive the shingles vaccine from Merck, Zostavax.

Merck & Co. Inc's vaccine Zostavax protects against the viral infection known as shingles.

The CDC is recommending that all people at the age of 60 and older should receive a single dose of the vaccine, even if they have had shingles in the past.

The viral infection causes an extremely painful rash. The risk of developing shingles rises with age.

This recommendation by the CDC is the first time U.S. health officials have supported the vaccine in this manner.

The vaccine, according to the CDC, cuts the risk of shingles by 50% in those who are 60 and older.

The vaccine is even more effective as people near the age of 70.

The CDC stated that one-third of all people in the U.S. will get shingles.

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