Shingles Vaccine
Should you get the Shingrix Vaccine?
In the United States there are an estimated 1 million cases of Shingles per year. Your risk of having shingles is at least 30%. Those with conditions that suppress immune response or on medication that suppresses immune response are at higher risk.
Shingles is caused by the virus Varicella Zoster. The same virus that causes chicken pox. Shingles is a reactivation of the Varicella Zoster virus in our body. This typically happens when our immune system levels are lower due to things like high stress, illness, and aging. The virus typically lies dormant in our body but it can reactivate if the immune system is no longer able to suppress it. As Shingles, it presents differently than Chicken Pox. Typically it causes a prodrome with possible symptoms such as fever, chills, malaise, tingling/burning of skin area before the rash actually appears. The rash is typically a cluster of small fluid filled blisters or vesicles which later crust over. It is typically confined to a single dermatome. Dermatomes are areas of the skin connected to a single sensory nerve derived from a spinal nerve root. This can be a small area or a very large area of skin. Shingles can be incredibly painful in some cases. In severe cases it can infect the eye or the spinal cord. Shingles can potentially increase the risk of stroke in the future. The most common complication of Shingles is Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN). PHN causes burning pain in neves and skins and can last weeks to months after the rash has gone away.
The best way to prevent Shingles is by vaccination. Most children nowadays are being vaccinated for Varicella as a child and therefore have never had the disease. These children will not develop Shingles in the future as they have not been infected with the Varicella virus to be able to re-activate it.
Recommendation
The newer Shingles Vaccine, known as Shingrix, is recommended that anyone 50 years old and older, or those 19 years and older who have weakened immune systems. It is a 2 dose series separated by 2-6 months. It is recommended that Shingrex be taken even if you’ve had the previous Zostavax vaccine.
Effectiveness
Shringrix has been proven to be much more effective than Zostavax. Two doses of Shingrix provide strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication of shingles.
In adults 50 to 69 years old with healthy immune systems, Shingrix was 97% effective in preventing shingles; in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective.
In adults 50 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective in preventing PHN; in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 89% effective.
In adults with weakened immune systems, Shingrix was between 68% and 91% effective in preventing shingles, depending on their underlying immunocompromising condition.
In people 70 years and older who had healthy immune systems, Shingrix immunity remained high throughout 7 years following vaccination.
Side effects
It is common to have mild vaccine reaction including soreness, swelling of vaccination site, and/or fever, body aches that can last 2-3 days after vaccination.
Where to get Shingrex
We do not carry this particular vaccine in our office. However, most local pharmacies do. It is covered by most insurances. If you do not have insurance you maybe eligible for vaccine assistance program through GlaxoSmithKline (vaccine manufacturer).
Our members can contact us today to see if Shingrex is recommended for you.