Over 60? New Shingles Vaccine Highly Recommended
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommend a new vaccine, Zostavax, for anyone age 60 or older. The vaccine reduces the incidence of painful shingles, also known as herpes zoster, which is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV).
VZV causes the childhood disease, chickenpox, and anyone who has ever had chickenpox can become infected with shingles. A shingles outbreak begins when the dormant virus becomes active again and produces a band-like pattern of very painful blisters that develop in clusters on one side of the body. The pain, which can be severe and debilitating, can last anywhere from several weeks to several years. The CDC reports about a million cases of the viral outbreak each year, with one out of every three people developing the disease at some point during their lifetime.
The vaccine, which met the approval of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006, is recommended by the CDC for anyone age 60 or older, even if they’ve already experienced a bout with shingles. The vaccine has been found to reduce the incidence of shingles by about 50% in people of all ages who have been vaccinated, with people in the 60-to-69 age bracket enjoying a reduced rate of occurrence by 64%.
Common side effects associated with the vaccine include pain, tenderness, swelling, and redness at the injection site, as well as headache and itchiness. One dose of vaccine is recommended for anyone who has had chickenpox.
More than 95% of the population has been infected by the VZV at some point during their life, which means more than 95% of the population is at risk for developing shingles. The risk of developing shingles increases around age 50 and becomes higher as a person ages. According to CDC estimates, half of the population age 85 and older has had or can expect to develop shingles.
Further CDC estimates indicate that one-third of the American population will develop the condition although more than half of all older Americans don’t understand how serious the condition and its complications can be. One-third of all people developing the condition are expected to experience serious complications, with the risk of complications rising after age 60.
When anti-viral medication is started within 72 hours of the appearance of the first symptoms, the level of pain experienced and the duration of the outbreak can be reduced, minimizing the risk of more severe and longer-lasting complications.
Source: CDC
Loading ...
What is the price of the shingles vaccine?? Do all GP’s have this vaccine?
thank you–
Cindy Collins
Where can I find independent research on this vacine? I’ve already had two outbreaks and I’m only 65. The first outbreak (2003) was treated (second day of outbreak) with acupuncture and within a week the blisters were completely healed with no scaring. The second outbreak (September 2007) was VERY painful and I have some very bad scars. The pain only lasted 3 months was was very intense. I was in South Asia and was misdiagnosed. With the great amount of between outbreaks, what is the percentage rate that I will have another one?
Thanks
Merck, the maker of the vaccine Zosavax is also currently sponsoring a research trial for patients ages 50-59. Half of the patients participating in the clinical trial will receive the Zostavax vaccine at no cost. The other half will a placebo vaccine (an inactive vaccine). This trial is currently being conducted worldwide with hopes that one day patients 50 and older can receive the vaccine at their doctor’s office.
What about if you are only 20 years old? I had shingles a year ago last February. I’ve been advised to look into the vaccine, but apparently it is only available to those over 60.
I am 35 and had an outbreak this past year which lasted for 5 months. I was forced to leave my position at work because I was unable to perform my duties.
Why is this for those 60 and over and not for everyone who has been affected?
I have been having regular, cyclical outbreaks of shingles since I was 35. I am now 53 and do not qualify as a candidate for the vaccine because of my age. From what my doctor told me, it is only offered to those over 60 because that is the age of the control groups on which the trials were tested and that it is that age and over in which the MAJORITY of cases are seen. I have read various medical opinions about giving the vaccine to those who have already had shingles (some opinions are that recurrences are rare and a vaccine might not be of value, some say it couldn’t hurt…) but none have convinced me that it will work for those of us who have had or still have regular occurrences.
[...] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommend a new vaccine, Zostavax, for anyone age 60 or older. The vaccine reduces the incidence of painful shingles, also known as herpes zoster, which is caused by the reactivation of the …Full source on MedHeadlines: Read More? [...]
You don’t want this vaccine! I would like to point out, that Zostavax can cause shingles. I was a healthy 64 year old male who received the Zostavax vaccine on 2/5/08. Ten days later, my doctor diagnosed me with “classic shingles”. He put me on Valtrex for 7 days and I was still (1 month later) suffering with red spots on my (right) chest, pain in my right arm and shoulder, and severe itching. I notified Merck and my doctor also did! I read Merck’s “double blind” studies, and nowhere does it simply say: this vaccine can cause you to contract shingles. I have all the documentation as well as pictures. Please caution anyone who wants to gamble with their health.