The new shingles vaccine seems to be a huge success!
The shingles vaccine is proving to be very effective. A recent paper in the Lancet looked at uptake of the virus by patients between 2013 and 2016.
72% of eligible patients requested the vaccine in the first year and around 60% in the subsequent two years. Since the vaccine was introduced, the incidence of herpes zoster in those eligible for the vaccine has fallen by 35%, and the incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia has fallen by 50%.
These are exciting results. Are you eligible?
It can be confusing to know who is eligible and when. The PHE shingles eligibility calculator may help patients work out who is eligible.
It is a long address but can be found at;
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/645301/Shingles_interactive_2017to18.pdf or just google PHE shingles eligibility calculator.
1 in 4 people get shingles in their lifetime, it is caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus often many years after the initial chickenpox illness.
The virus lies latent within a nerve in the body and as we get older, and our immunity wanes, the risk of reactivation increases.
Unfortunately, shingles is more unpleasant and more painful in the older population. A very unpleasant pain known as post-hepatic neuralgia often develops and this can last years. Even a light touch on the skin can induce sharp or burning pain at the site of the previous infection.
The vaccine is not currently offered to those aged 80 or over because the development of immunity is reduced as we get older and it is less effective.
The Zostavax vaccine is a live vaccine, given as a single injection.
Zostavax can be given at the same time as inactivated flu vaccinations and pneumococcal vaccine (PPV23).
As it is a live vaccine it should not be given to those:
Bone marrow disorders: acute and chronic leukaemias, lymphoma. Immunosuppression due to HIV/AIDS. Cellular immune deficiencies. On immunosuppressives, including high-dose corticosteroids. This does NOT include inhaled steroids or low-dose systemic steroids, or patients taking steroids as replacement therapy as in Addisons disease.
So if you are eligible, why not reduce your risk of contracting this very unpleasant illness?
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