If you’ve ever known anyone who had shingles, they can definitely tell you 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. The worst part about shingles is that it can be extremely painful. The rash and pain can spread to other parts of your upper body and even to your eyes. Sometimes the disease goes away within a week, but sometimes the attack can last for several weeks to months. The pain associated with the virus can last even longer.

The virus that causes shingles is the same one that causes chicken pox. After having chicken pox, the virus stays dormant in your body for the rest of your life. 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 or reduce the pain from 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 who get the shot will not get shingles at all. The other 40% of those who get the vaccine will most likely get a mild and manageable case.

Only one dose of the Zostavax vaccine is recommended for people 60 years old and over, but it is not for everyone. People who have allergic reactions to gelatin or a drug called neomycin should talk to their doctor or pharmacist before getting the shot. Also, people with 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 with varied co-payment levels. We welcome your call to check into what the price would be for your Zostavax dose. 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.

Michelle Herbert Thomas, PharmD, CDE
Clinical Director, Richmond Apothecaries, Inc.