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What ZOSTAVAX Is Used For?

Zostavax, manufactured by Merck & Co Inc. Pharmaceuticals, is a vaccine designed to reduce the risk of contracting herpes, an infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus during sleep in the body. Shingles, the herpes zoster virus, is the second phase of an infection in two stages; The initial phase is the contraction of varicella (chicken pox). After chickenpox in the body, usually during childhood, the virus remains in the spinal cord and brain, sleeping for years and even decades. The virus reactivates and reappears later as the shingles virus, a generalized rash characterized by blisters on one side of the torso, throbbing pains and weeks of discomfort.

HOW ZOSTAVAX WORKS?

Zostavax acts by injecting a weakened form of the shingles virus into the body. The body fights the weakened herpes virus, increasing the resistance of the immune system to the virus. The strengthened immune system of the body is theoretically capable of fighting the shingles virus, which reduces the risk that the reactivated virus has some effect on the body.

SYMPTOMS & SIDE EFFECTS OF ZOSTAVAX

You or a loved one may also be eligible to participate in the Zostavax lawsuit if you suffered any of the following injuries within two years of receiving the vaccine:

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  • Encephalitis or other serious neurological disorders
  • Herpetic Neuralgia
  • Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)
  • Myelitis / Bell’s Palsy
  • Blindness, eye infections, retinal damage or other vision problems
  • Hearing loss
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Chronic Inflammation Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, Meniere’s
  • Disease, or other autoimmune disorders
  • Stroke
  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Vasculitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Death

Latest ZOSTAVAX News & Recalls

August 2014 – A change to the label now includes shingles as a possible side effect from Zostavax.

March 2011 – A label change is required to now include safety and efficacy data to support the use of Zostavax in individuals 50-59.

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May 2006 – Zostavax is approved for use in patients 60 or older.

Lawsuits & Settlements

A Zostavax lawsuit has been filed on behalf of individuals who received the Zostavax vaccine and subsequently contracted shingles.

The Zostavax lawsuits allege that Merck & CO became aware that the vaccine could cause patients to contract shingles during its premarket approval trials but failed to list shingles as a possible side effect until December 2014, nearly seven years after it was approved by the FDA.

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The Zostavax lawsuits, which were filed in a number of state courts, have now been consolidated.

There are more currently more than 50 lawsuits filed against Merck & Co (and parent company, Bayer AG) consolidated in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania – forming the Zostavax lawsuit multidistrict litigation (MDL).

HOW TO FILE A CLAIM

Do you want to learn if you have a case? The lawsuits are being filed on behalf of those patients who:

  • received the Zostavax vaccine after 2006.
  • contracted shingles no earlier least three weeks after and no later than one year after you received the Zostavax vaccination.
  • were clinically diagnosed with shingles.

Lawyers expect that thousands of patients will ultimately come forward with injuries to file claims. As is often the case with drug injury lawsuits, cases may eventually be consolidated in a central federal court for expedited handling.

A lawyer can speak with you today to determine if your case qualifies, and it costs nothing to investigate or file your claim unless you receive compensation.

Do you have a case?

Speak with someone today who can help!