Should I get the shingles vaccine? If I've already had shingles, should I get the vaccine so that I don't get shingles again?Answer From Pritish K. Tosh, M.D. Show
People who are eligible to get it should get the Shingrix vaccine in the U.S. Shingrix is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for adults age 50 and older for the prevention of shingles and related complications, whether they've already had shingles or not. You may get the Shingrix vaccine even if you've already had shingles. Also, consider getting the Shingrix vaccine if you've had the Zostavax vaccine in the past, or if you don't know whether you've had chickenpox. Shingrix is a nonliving vaccine made of a virus component. It's given in two doses, with 2-6 months between doses. The most common side effects of a shingles vaccine are redness, pain, tenderness, swelling and itching at the injection site, and headaches. The shingles vaccine Zostavax is no longer sold in the U.S. but may be available in other countries. Although some people will develop shingles despite vaccination, the vaccine may reduce the severity and duration of it. It can also reduce the risk of postherpetic neuralgia, a shingles complication that causes shingles pain to continue long after the blisters have cleared. Studies suggest protection against shingles with Shingrix may extend beyond five years. Talk to your doctor about your vaccination options if you:
The cost of the shingles vaccine may not be covered by Medicare, Medicaid or insurance. Check your plan. With Pritish K. Tosh, M.D. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is
beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the
unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Sept. 21, 2021
See more Expert Answers See also
. OverviewWhat is the shingles vaccine?The shingles vaccine can protect you against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is the most common complication of shingles. Shingles is a painful rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. The rash usually develops on one side of your body or face. It starts with red bumps and then the bumps turn into fluid-filled blisters. What does the shingles vaccine do?The shingles vaccine can prevent shingles. Every year, about 1 million people in the United States get shingles. Anyone who’s had chickenpox can get shingles. That’s because the varicella-zoster virus lives silently in your nervous system after you've had chickenpox. The virus can reactivate later in your life if your immune system is weakened. Your risk of getting shingles goes up as you get older. In the United States, 1 in 3 people will get shingles in their lifetime. What is the name of the shingles vaccine?In the United States, there is currently one shingles vaccine authorized for use. The shingles vaccine is called Shingrix™ (recombinant zoster vaccine). As of November 18, 2020, another shingles vaccine called Zostavax® is no longer available for use in the United States. Who should get the shingles vaccine?The CDC recommends all healthy adults ages 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine to prevent shingles and problems that can develop after you’ve had the disease. The two doses should be separated by two to six months. You should get the shingles vaccine even if you:
Who should not get the shingles vaccine?Some people shouldn’t get the shingles vaccine. These people include those:
Procedure DetailsHow is the shingles vaccine given?Your healthcare provider will give you the shingles vaccine as an injection (shot) in your upper arm. You will get two doses of the vaccine separated by two to six months. Risks / BenefitsWhat are the advantages of getting the shingles vaccine?The shingles vaccine reduces your risk of getting shingles. Shingles causes a painful rash that usually develops on one side of your body or face. Some people describe the pain as an intense burning or shooting sensation. The rash is often a single strip that wraps around one side of your body or is on one side of your face. It consists of blisters that normally crust over in seven to 10 days. The rash generally clears up within a month. Some people with shingles also experience additional symptoms including fever, headache, chills or upset stomach. For some people, the pain from the rash can last for months or even years after the rash goes away. This long-term pain is called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), and it is the most common complication of shingles. What side effects can the shingles vaccine cause?The shingles vaccine helps your body’s immune system build up a solid defense against shingles, so you may experience temporary side effects after getting the shots. These side effects may include:
Severe reactions to the shingles vaccine are extremely rare. If you develop any of the following signs of an allergic reaction, call 911 or go to your nearest ER:
Recovery and OutlookHow effective is the shingles vaccine in preventing shingles?The shingles vaccine can provide strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most commonly occurring shingles complication. The shingles vaccine is 97% effective in preventing shingles in people ages 50 to 69 years old. It’s 91% effective in people ages 70 years and older. In addition, the shingles vaccine is 91% effective in preventing PHN in people ages 50 to 69 years old. It’s 89% effective in people ages 70 years and older. How long does the shingles vaccine last?More than 85% of people ages 70 years and older remained protected from shingles for at least four years after they were vaccinated. Since your risk of shingles and PHN increases as you get older, it’s important to have strong protection against shingles in your older years. Can you get shingles after you’ve been vaccinated?While the shingles vaccine is highly effective, some people can still get shingles. However, people who do get shingles after getting the shingles vaccine usually have milder symptoms and a shorter illness. You’ll also be less likely to have complications from shingles, including postherpetic neuralgia. Can you get shingles if you had the chickenpox vaccine?Some people get shingles years after they received the chickenpox vaccine. However, it is much less common to get shingles after receiving the chickenpox vaccine than after having chickenpox. When to Call the DoctorWhat questions should I ask my healthcare provider?It’s normal to have questions before you get a vaccine. Some common questions you may want to discuss with your healthcare provider include:
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow long after I’ve received the shingles vaccine am I contagious?With the currently authorized shingles vaccine, Shingrix, you won’t be contagious. The old vaccine, Zostavax, used a weakened form of the live varicella-zoster virus. Therefore, people worried about spreading the disease to the people around them. Shingrix doesn’t use a live version of the varicella-zoster virus. It is inactivated, which means it uses a dead version of the virus. Therefore, you have no risk of transmitting the disease to anyone. A note from Cleveland Clinic No one likes to get shots, especially for something you’ve already been vaccinated for. But the newer version of the shingles vaccine is one you’ll want to offer up your arm for. The Shingrix vaccine is more than 90% effective at helping you prevent shingles. Since most of us have had chickenpox in the past, the shingles vaccine is an easy way to prevent the dormant chickenpox virus from creeping up and hitting you again with shingles. |
How long after having shingles should i get the vaccine
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 kemunculan Inc.
