The new vaccine is made with the same virus used in childrens' chickenpox vaccine, only is 20 times more concentrated.
USA Today reports, the study was spearheaded by The Department of Veterans' Affairs and involved 38,546 volunteers 60 and older; half received a placebol; the rest were administered the vaccine.
Results showed the shot reduced cases by 51% in those given the vaccine; 61% of those already infected, experienced a significant reduction in painful side effects.
It is estimated Shingles strikes about 1 million people each year, roughly half of those over the age of 60;this vaccine can prevent 250,000 of these cases, and reduce the severe pain that lingers for as long as one year after infection.
Paula Annunziato of Merck Research Labs, makers of the vaccine, said it is not likely the goverment will respond on Merck's bid to market the vaccine until early next year.
Minor side effects included redness and tenderness around the site of the injection.
