A new vaccine for protecting seniors against shingles, an intensely painful condition is now available in clinics and doctors’ offices in Canada.

Merck Frosst Canada’s Zostavax is the first and only vaccine for preventing shingles, but at $150 for a single dose, it doesn’t come cheap, however, people who have ever come down with a bad case of it will tell you, the cost is worth it.

Caused by the same virus as chickenpox: varicella zoster, shingles causes itching, tingling, burning or pain, typically on one side of the body or face, then develops into a fluid-filled blisters rash, within a few days.

The blisters can take four weeks to heal, causing burning, stabbing or throbbing pain in almost 90% of shingles sufferers over the age of 60. Over half of those over 60 say the pain continues even after the blisters have healed, continuing for weeks or months in a condition called postherpetic neuralgia or post-shingles pain.

Those who have weak immune systems, either because of illness or injury are particularly vulnerable to developing shingles. However, aging also makes the immune system weak enough the virus to reactivate, with the severity of shingles and its complications increasing with age, with 10% of 65-plus shingles patients requiring hospitalization, while others need to use steroid creams and antiviral medications.

Patients, who need to know where the vaccine is available, can visit the Zostavax. ca website for a listing of clinics and doctors offering the vaccine.