{"id":1161,"date":"2017-11-10T05:49:24","date_gmt":"2017-11-10T05:49:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=1161"},"modified":"2021-03-15T16:16:23","modified_gmt":"2021-03-15T16:16:23","slug":"5-things-know-getting-shingles-vaccine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/5-things-know-getting-shingles-vaccine\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Things to Know Before Getting a Shingles Vaccine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Shingles is a condition characterized by a painful, long-lasting rash and is caused by the same virus that is responsible for chicken pox (varicella zoster). Shingles is actually a recurrence of chicken pox, and it can have significant effects beyond the rash which can last from ten days to a month. Scarring can result from shingles rashes, particularly if one scratches the area, and in some cases, a debilitating condition known as PHN can result. Those over the age of 60 are particularly vulnerable to shingles, and for these people, a shingles vaccination is recommended. However, there are a number of things that those preparing to take a shingles vaccine should know beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vaccine isn\u2019t cheap, but it may be covered by an insurance plan, and it may not create 100% immunity to the condition in all cases. It is important to be armed with information prior to getting a shingles vaccine and to discuss your concerns with your doctor. If you have had repeated outbreaks of shingles or are approaching the age of 60, it may be time to consider getting vaccinated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The Cost<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The shingles vaccine <\/a>is not cheap and it may or may not be covered by your insurance plan. If you have to pay out of pocket for this vaccine, it could cost you around $200. However, many insurance plans cover the vaccination, but it is essential to check with your insurance provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those who receive Medicare are covered. The vaccine manufacturer may also provide significant discounts to those who are over 60 and taking the vaccine. If cost is a major consideration, you may be able to work out a payment plan with your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. How Immune Will You Be?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When many people get a vaccine, they expect to be completely immune from the ailment, but this may not be the case with shingles<\/a>. For those close to 60 years old, the shot could be 70% effective, but it drops off in effectiveness for older patients. However, the older the person is, the more likely they are to develop shingles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is estimated that over half of 80-year-olds develop shingles, so the vaccination, which is covered under many medical plans for the elderly, is definitely worth getting even though it may not provide an absolute guarantee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>3. How Long-Lasting Is It?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The protection provided by the shingles vaccine will wear off after a period of time. Unlike other vaccines that have a predictable period of how long one can be immune before needing a booster shot, the time period of the shingles vaccine is often ambiguous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A doctor may be able to determine when it is time for booster shingles shot. This is one reason why it is essential to see a doctor on a regular basis, especially if one is vulnerable to shingles. Your physician <\/a>can detect the need for an additional shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>4. Protection Against PHN<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shingles is not merely annoying, but it can lead to a more serious condition known as PHN. For most people, the symptoms of shingles pass with the fading of the rash, but for 10% of shingles sufferers, the problem develops into PHN, which is longer-lasting and is more extreme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PHN occurs when the shingles virus hits the nerves <\/a>and it can cause intense feelings of depression as well as eye problems if the optical nerve is affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most shingles sufferers don\u2019t experience PHN, the illness is sufficiently severe to make a shingles vaccine a good idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. A Good Idea for People Over 60<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The shingles vaccine is a good idea for people over 60, since the odds of getting shingles increases substantially as one gets older. Not only does age make one more vulnerable to getting shingles, but it can also make it harder to fight off the infection<\/a>, and the rashes can be longer-lasting among elderly sufferers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rashes can involve an involved treatment schedule that includes baths, compresses, application of creams, and can be a challenge for those over 60 to deal with. Therefore, it is important for people over the age of 60 to get a shingles vaccine to prevent these problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Side Effects<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Vaccines are medications, and like all other medications \u2013 usage comes with the risk of developing side-effects. However, research shows that there are no severe or life-threatening side-effects that occur due to the use of a shingles vaccine. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients have reported some mild side-effects, including itching, redness, or soreness<\/a> around the vaccine site. These symptoms occur in around 30-percent of patients, with headache occurring in one in every 70-patients vaccinated. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies show that there is no risk of transmitting the chickenpox virus to other people if you receive the shingles vaccine. On rare occasions, vaccinated individuals may experience a chickenpox-like rash occur near the vaccination site. Doctors recommend the patient to cover the outbreak until symptoms subside. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Center for Disease Control and the Food Drug Administration monitors all reported complications and side-effects related to the shingles vaccine and closely tracks the use of the medication. Severe signs of an allergic reaction to the vaccine include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, elevated heart rate, weakness, and dizziness.<\/span><\/wp-block><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>7. Is There Thimerosal in Shingles Vaccine?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people have heard the rumors about shingles vaccines containing additives that can have severe adverse health effects. One of these additives is thimerosal<\/a>, a mercury-based preservative used in previous vaccines in the early eighties. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaccine manufacturers first used thimerosal as a preservative to prevent pathogens and bacteria from growing in the vaccine material. Unfortunately, mercury is a toxic substance to human health, and receiving an intramuscular dose of this material can cause severe health issues, such as blood poisoning, and the development of numerous autoimmune problems.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early use of thimerosal in vaccines had links to the development of autism in children. However, recent studies into thimerosal prove this connection as false. However, manufacturers have since removed the preservative from their vaccinations, and now both types of shingles vaccines contain no thimerosal.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you hear people tell you that all shingles vaccines come contaminated with poisonous chemicals, they may be an anti-vax conspiracy theorist. Never trust anyone without medical training to provide you with opinions on why you should not vaccinate yourself or your family \u2013 speak to your doctor.<\/span><\/wp-block><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8.  Vaccine Shortages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Due to the rise in shingles infections across the United States, many distributors are running short on shingles vaccines. As a result, pharmacies<\/a>, doctors offices, and hospitals are facing a crisis of shortages in the products. Manufacturers are continually working on developing new batches for markets all over the world, and as a result, they may run short on supply from time to time.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shortage affects all States in the US, with few vaccines available from any supplier. As a result, many people have had to join waiting lists to apply for vaccination when the new batches arrive in the United States. At this time of writing in early 2019, there are still widespread shortages of both types of the shingles vaccine, all across the country.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you would like to have yourself or your family members vaccinated, call into your local doctor’s office and ask if they have any available stock of the vaccine before you waste your time and money traveling to their premises. The chances are that your physician is out of stock \u2013 they will add your name to a priority list, and when the new shipments arrive, they will call you to arrange your vaccination. <\/span><\/wp-block><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Types of Vaccine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are currently two types of shingles vaccine available for administration. The Zoster vaccine live (ZVL, Zostavax,) has been around in the United States since 2006, and recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, Shingrix), was approved for use by the CDC and FDA in 2017. Since its release to the public, Shingrix<\/a> is the preferred choice of most doctors and the recommended product for use by the ACIP.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having yourself vaccinated is the only known way to protect you and your family from developing shingles, or complications of the virus \u2013 such as postherpetic neuralgia, (PHN.) Officials at the CDC recommend that individuals over the age of 50-years, receive two doses of Shingrix, 6-months apart to ensure their immune system remains resistant to the disease over the long term.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shingrix vaccines are available from your doctor’s office, and select pharmacies, as well as hospitals. If you need to =vaccinate yourself or your family, call into your local doctor’s office and arrange a vaccination appointment. IF the doctor has the vaccine on hand, they can administer the shot in their offices. The most common site for vaccination \u2013 is the upper arm. <\/span><\/wp-block><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>10.   Using Both Types of Vaccine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While there is nothing wrong with the Zostavax vaccine brand, the medical community recognizes the medicine as outdated \u2013 with Shringrix providing more prolonged periods of protection than Zostavax<\/a>. Therefore, most doctors offices will carry Shingrix for their patient’s vaccination needs. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CDC and vaccination authorities recommend that anyone who received the Zostavax vaccination should repeat their treatment using the Shingrix product. Physicians will also recommend that you still receive the necessary two doses of the vaccine as well.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shingrix is far more effective at protecting patients for the disease, and the vaccine only requires two treatments in six months for the vaccine to remain active in your body. However, Zostavax requires regular re-administration every 6 to 12-months to ensure that the patient remains free from the threat of infection with the shingles virus.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the shortage of Shringrix available on the market, doctors will still recommend you are inoculated with Zostavax if you are older than 50-years.<\/span><\/wp-block><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>11. Why Do Doctors Recommend Shringrix for Seniors?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shingles can infect anyone at any age, but its most common in seniors over the age of 50. As you age, the chances of you contracting the virus increase, and the symptoms are far more intense the older you get. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, people over the age of 50-years, run the risk of developing shingles complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia<\/a>, if they contract the disease. Therefore, doctors recommend that all seniors receive inoculation from the illness to prevent severe complications with their health in the case of shingles infection. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the inefficiency of Zostavax, and its need for constant top-ups, doctors recommend that seniors vaccinate with Shingrix instead of Zostavax. Studies show that Shingrix lasts for as long as 4-years before requiring re-vaccination. Seniors that receive a double dose over the period of 6-months can have the vaccine remain active in their system for as long as 7-years after administration \u2013 this is a far better lifespan than the 6-months offered by Zostavax,<\/span><\/wp-block><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Administration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before you head out to the doctor’s office for your shingles vaccination, it’s vital that you understand the vaccination schedule, how the drug works, and where you can expect your doctor to vaccinate you.  Seniors over the age of 50 require a second vaccination to ensure they receive adequate levels of the drug in their system. Therefore, your doctor will arrange a follow-up vaccination after your first visit to their office.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doses of the vaccine are given anywhere from two to six months apart, and the immunization <\/a>typically remains active for four years after administration. Your doctor will vaccinate you in their office, and the treatment is practically painless. They inject the vaccine into your upper right arm, allowing it to enter the bloodstream q2uickly, and spread throughout the body. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s essential that you visit your doctor for the second dose to ensure long-term protection against the shingles virus. Your doctor should make your second appointment on site, and their secretary will call you to remind you of your date.<\/span><\/wp-block><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Previous Infection and Vaccinations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unlike chickenpox, shingles can reinfect you if you’re exposed to it again. Many people notice that they don\u2019t experience infection while being around another person with shingles. These individuals typically have robust immune systems, but they are not entirely free of ever developing the virus. Our immune system experiences dips and peaks in its efficiency, and you may have had a good day when you last had exposure to someone with the virus.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019ds recommended that everyone over the age of 50-years receives vaccination against the virus<\/a>, due to its effects and complications on seniors. Shingrix is far more cost-effective when compared to Zostavax,m and it lasts far longer in the body, providing a full range of protection compared to Zostavax.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, doctors recommend that people who have already had a Zostavax shot, wait for at least 2-months before visiting their doctor for vaccination with Shingrix. If you have any queries, speak to your doctor about arranging an injection.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Who Should Avoid a Shingles Vaccine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The CDC and FDA <\/a>recommend that anyone over the age of 50-years vaccinates against the shingles virus. However, doctors and the CDC also state that people younger than 60-years should not receive the Zostavax version of the vaccine. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any patient who experiences a severe or life-threatening reaction of gelatin should also avoid inoculation with Zostavax or Shingrix. Similarly, anyone who has allergies to the antibiotic medicine, neomycin, or any other element of the Shingrix or Zostavax vaccine, should avoid being vaccinated entirely. It\u2019s vital that you inform your doctor of any allergies you have before they innoculate you for shingles.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone who has a weak immune system, and frequently gets sick, should avoid being vaccinated with either type of shingles product. People with vulnerable immune systems may not be able to build a tolerance to the vaccine, resulting in severe health complications. This principle goes for people living with HIV or AIDS as well. The reduction in active T-cel count means that they may develop health complications after vaccination. <\/span><\/wp-block><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>15. Beware of Anti-Vax Conspiracies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is a rising global trend calling for people to stop using vaccines. Unfortunately, these activist groups have very little understanding of how vaccines work, and the protection they offer people from disease<\/a>. Most of these people that are on the side of anti-vax campaigners have merely seen too many YouTube videos promoting how vaccines have harmed people in the past.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such a conspiracy theorist mentions how vaccines have caused outbreaks of polio in the past, or how the use of vaccines in young children has links to the development of autism. However, upon investigating the subject a little more, you\u2019ll quickly discover that this is nothing but nonsense.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anti-vax campaigners have no understanding of medical science, and none of them are doctors or have any medical training. These people go on anecdotal evidence suggested by influencers in the social space. Unfortunately, they put their family and themselves at risk of developing a wide variety of deadly diseases in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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