Shingles is a common viral disease that can cause a painful rash. A vaccine exists to help prevent this condition and its potential complications. This article provides information about shingles and the vaccine to help individuals make informed health decisions.
Understanding Shingles
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in nerve tissue and can reactivate years later, leading to shingles.
The primary symptom is a painful rash, typically a single stripe of blisters on one side of the body or face. This rash can be accompanied by itching, tingling, burning, or shooting pain. Other symptoms might include fever, headache, chills, or an upset stomach.
Shingles can lead to significant complications. The most common is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), where nerve pain persists for months or even years after the rash heals. Less common but serious complications include vision loss if the eye is affected, bacterial infections, and, rarely, brain inflammation or hearing problems.
How the Shingles Vaccine Works
The current shingles vaccine, Shingrix, is a non-live, recombinant vaccine. It uses a specific part of the varicella-zoster virus, a protein called glycoprotein E, combined with an adjuvant system to stimulate a strong immune response.
This vaccine prompts the immune system to produce antibodies and T-cells that recognize and fight the varicella-zoster virus, preventing reactivation and shingles. It is administered as a two-dose series, with the second dose typically given two to six months after the first to achieve full protective benefits.
Shingrix demonstrates high efficacy. Studies show it is over 90% effective at preventing shingles and significantly reduces the risk of PHN in adults aged 50 and older. Protection remains high for at least seven years, with some studies indicating effectiveness for over a decade.
Who Should Get the Shingles Vaccine?
The shingles vaccine is recommended for most adults, primarily healthy individuals aged 50 and older. This age group faces an increased risk of shingles and severe complications like postherpetic neuralgia. There is no upper age limit for vaccination.
Individuals who have previously had shingles should still get vaccinated to prevent future occurrences. It is advised to wait until any existing shingles rash has cleared. Even those who received an older shingles vaccine, such as Zostavax, should get Shingrix for its superior and longer-lasting protection.
The vaccine is also recommended for adults aged 19 and older who are or will be immunocompromised due to disease or therapy. For these individuals, the second dose might be administered sooner, typically one to two months after the first. Prior chickenpox infection testing is unnecessary, as most adults born before 1980 have been exposed.
What to Expect from the Shingles Vaccine
Shingrix is administered as a two-dose injection in the upper arm. Common side effects are usually mild to moderate and resolve within two to three days. These temporary reactions can include soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, as well as muscle pain, fatigue, headache, fever, shivering, or an upset stomach.
Serious adverse reactions are very rare. A severe allergic reaction is a possibility, though medical staff are trained to manage such events. In rare instances, Guillain-Barré syndrome has been reported. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should discuss vaccination with their healthcare provider, as the vaccine has not been studied in these populations.