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Press Release
VA Study Gives New Hope to Shingles Sufferers
June 1, 2005
WASHINGTON - Relief from the painful symptoms of shingles
is closer for millions of Americans, thanks to a pioneering study by
researchers from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
"This latest study is the most recent example in a long string of
medical accomplishments - from the pacemaker to space-age prosthetics -
that came from VA researchers," said the Honorable R. James Nicholson,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
In one of the largest medical studies involving the Department, VA
researchers found that an experimental vaccine cut the incidence of
shingles in half and dramatically reduced its severity for other
victims.
Shingles is a painful nerve and skin infection that afflicts half of the
people who live to age 85. It can last months, or even years. Victims
develop painful blistering, and some may have permanent nerve damage.
It afflicts about 1 million Americans each year.
The study involved 38,000 people, all aged at least 60, who agreed to
participate. Half the participants received a new vaccine, the other
half a placebo. The study's results were reported in the June 2 edition
of the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.
"I'm proud that, in serving veterans, our VA researchers are also
serving all Americans," Nicholson said. "As we enter our 75th
anniversary year, this is another VA tradition that is stronger than
ever."
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