Panel Endorses Merck's Zostavax

A federal advisory committee said it supports an experimental Merck (MRK Quote) vaccine to prevent shingles, but the panel restricted its recommendation to people age 60 and older.

Merck had been seeking an endorsement of its Zostavax vaccine for people 50 and above. However, the panel of outside experts, which advises the Food and Drug Administration, said Thursday that Merck didn't provide the necessary clinical data for the younger group.

The FDA usually follows the recommendations of its advisory panels, though it isn't required to do so. ...