Shingrix - Shingles Vaccine

What is the Shingles Virus?

Shingles is the aftermath of chickenpox. Chickenpox may seem to go away over time, but it can secretly remain in the body undetected for almost a decade. When it resurfaces, it appears as shingles, which manifests all over the body as painful rashes. Shingles is never guaranteed to appear, but there are certain risk factors that can trigger it. These include being over the age of 50, having HIV/AIDS, certain medications, and use of steroids, as well as even undergoing certain cancer treatments. Shingles can sometimes turn into postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is a very painful viral infection that can cause mild itching and more painful rashes.

Despite people who have been administered a vaccine to counteract shingles in the past, it may be a safe idea to take Shingrix as well. Getting vaccinated at an early age has the potential to protect patients from various viruses during the early stages of their lives, but that protection can wear off over time. In the case of shingles, it is only ideal to get vaccinated much later, as shingles has a greater chance to emerge in mature adults. It is important to consult your doctor regarding getting vaccinated.

Vickery Vaccine wants to make sure that you are informed about the Shingrix vaccine. Vickery Vaccine’s mobile clinic is at your disposal, should you ever need to schedule an emergency visit. If you wish to learn more, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!

How Effective is Shingrix?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website, Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles. They claim that two doses of Shingrix is over 90% effective at preventing shingles, and 85% of the protection remains during the first four years. The CDC also claims that Shingrix is the preferred vaccine over Zostavax, which has been around since 2006. Shingrix is not suitable for those who are allergic to the vaccine. Also, it is not for those who tested negatively for immunity to varicella zoster vicus, for those who currently have shingles, and someone who is currently pregnant and/or breastfeeding.