This is a good article about the shingles vaccine (it appeared in the NY Times on May 15, 2012).
"Large clinical trials showed the vaccine reduces the risk of developing shingles by roughly half.' It's approved for people 50 - 80 years of age and some insurance plans (particulalry Medicare Part D) will cover part of the cost. It is likey that one can get it at a pharmacy since the physician's office visit is not reimbursable (unless one is seeing a patient for another reason).
To read the article, click "Shingles Vaccine Returns."
I have been told that is is less effective after age 80.