Shingles vaccine can prevent painful illness

If you’ve ever had shingles, you’re not likely to forget it. But if you haven’t, you may be able to prevent it with a vaccination. The vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006 — and now it is recommended for Americans aged 60 and older by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory panel and other experts.

What is shingles?
Am I at risk?
Who should get the shingles vaccine?
I've already had shingles. Should I get the vaccine?
Who should NOT get the vaccine?
How well does the vaccine work?
What are the risks of the vaccine?
How do I get the vaccine?
Will Medicare cover the vaccine?
What else can I do?
For more information…

What is shingles?
Shingles (also called herpes zoster) is a painful rash that can cause blisters. It usually strikes on one side of the face or body and lasts for two to four weeks. It can also cause fever, headache and chills. For most people, shingles is not life-threatening. But it can be dangerous for people with weakened immune systems. In rare cases, it can cause pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation and even death.

A more common concern is that some people have severe pain even after the rash clears up. This condition is called “post-herpetic neuralgia,” and it can last from 30 days to months or even years. The pain can be so severe that it disrupts lives.

A person with shingles cannot give shingles to someone else. But close contact with a person with shingles could lead to chicken pox in someone who has never had it or been vaccinated against it.

Am I at risk?
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox (varicella zoster virus, or VZV). If you’ve ever had chicken pox (as most adults have), you are at risk for shingles.

Without vaccination, about 20 percent of people who have had chicken pox will get shingles sooner or later. And about a third of those who get shingles will get the painful and more long-lasting condition, post-herpetic neuralgia. The risk for post-herpetic neuralgia goes up as you get older. In fact, it affects up to 40 percent of people who get shingles after age 60.

Who should get the shingles vaccine?
The CDC recommends the vaccine for adults aged 60 or older. Nearly 95 percent of these adults had chicken pox as children, so they’re at risk for shingles. Also, their age increases the risk that they could develop complications from the disease.

I've already had shingles. Should I get the vaccine?
Getting shingles more than once is rare, so getting the vaccine is not recommended if you've already had shingles.

Who should NOT get the shingles vaccine?
You should not get the vaccine if:

You have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to:
- gelatin
- the antibiotic neomycin
- any other part of the vaccine (ask your doctor).
You have a weakened immune system because of:

AIDS, HIV or any disease that affects the immune system
treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids
cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy
a history of cancer affecting bone marrow or the lymphatic system, such as leukemia or lymphoma.

You have active, untreated tuberculosis.
You are pregnant or might be pregnant. You should wait for at least three months after getting the vaccine before becoming pregnant.
You are sick. If you have a slight cold, that’s OK. But if you’re moderately or seriously ill or if you’re running a fever of 101.3 degrees or higher, wait until you’re well to get the vaccine.

How well does the shingles vaccine work?
A major clinical trial showed that the vaccine is more than 60 percent effective at reducing symptoms from shingles. More important, it reduces post-herpetic neuralgia by about two-thirds.

What are the risks of the vaccine?
No serious problems have been linked to the shingles vaccine. But any medicine has risks.

Most people don’t even have mild problems after getting the vaccine. Some people get redness, soreness or itching at the spot where they got the shot. A few get a headache.

More serious reactions are unlikely. But call a doctor right away or go quickly to the doctor if you notice:

Any unusual condition, such as high fever or behavior change
Difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing
Hives
Paleness
A fast heartbeat
Weakness
Dizziness

Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened and when you got the shingles vaccination. Ask your doctor, nurse or health department to report the reaction by filing a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) form.

How do I get the vaccine?
In most cases, you will need to pick up the vaccine from the pharmacy and take it to your doctor so that he or she can give you the shot.

Some pharmacies do not offer the vaccine; others can order it for you. Your doctor may be able to tell you where the vaccine is available, or you can call local pharmacies to find out if they have it or can order it.

The vaccine must be kept in a freezer for long-term storage. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 72 hours.

Will Medicare cover the vaccine?
Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) will cover the vaccine if a doctor writes a prescription for it. The amount you must pay depends on your Part D plan. Private insurance providers may cover it, but it varies.

Without any insurance coverage, the vaccine costs about $200.

What else can I do?
Make sure that the children in your life get their immunizations on time, every time. One of the standard childhood shots protects against chicken pox and may help prevent shingles as well.

For more information…

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

WebMD