Great News if your Over 60!
If you’ve ever known anyone that had shingles, they can definitely tell you that it’s not exactly a walk in the park. Shingles usually begins with an itch or tingling on your upper body—usually around your waist or back. This itch turns into rash and fluid filled blisters that can be extremely painful. The rash can spread to other parts of your upper body and even to your eyes where it can harm vision. Sometimes the disease goes away within a week, but sometimes the attack can last for several weeks to months and the pain associated with the virus can last even longer.
The virus that causes chicken pox also causes shingles. After having chicken pox, this virus will stay in your body. The virus “sleeps” in your spinal cord and can reactivate or “wake-up” later in life causing shingles. Luckily, there is now a vaccine, Zostavax, which helps prevent the shingles virus. Zostavax is recommended for everyone over 60 years of age, whether or not they’ve had a previous episode of shingles.
Zostavax does not offer complete protection from shingles, but it is definitely better than not having the vaccine at all. The shingles shot is about 60% effective. This means that 60% of the people that get the shot will not get shingles. If you are part of the other 40% that does get shingles, your case will most likely be mild and manageable.
Only one dose of the Zostavax vaccine is recommended for people that are 60 years old and over, but it is not for everyone. People that have allergic reactions to gelatin or a drug called neomycin should talk to their doctor or pharmacist before getting the shot. Also, people that have very weak immune systems, take steroid drugs, or get radiation or chemotherapy should also talk to their doctor or pharmacist before getting the shot.
The shingles shot is a safe vaccine and does not have a lot of risks associated with it. Some minor problems like redness, soreness, swelling, or itching might happen around the place where you got the shot. Some people have reported mild, short-term headaches after the shot.
The Zostavax vaccine is covered by Medicare Part D, so come by Bremo or Henrico Pharmacy today and get your Zostavax shot! Our pharmacists are happy to answer any questions you have about the shingles vaccine and whether its right for you. Call us today at 288-8361.
Rhenda Harris, PharmD Candidate, 2008
