STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Do I really need to get another vaccine?
With everyone talking about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and flu vaccines these days, many might overlook the necessity of the shingles vaccine, doctors say. But, if you’re 50 or older, they say it’s time to roll up your sleeve again.
Though shingles isn’t a virus that’s “caught’' from others — it hibernates in the nerve roots of people after they have the chicken pox, and natural immunity keeps it at bay — it will come out and cause painful symptoms when that immunity is reduced by age, stress or illness.
“Approximately 50% of all adults will get shingles in their lifetime if not vaccinated,” said Dr. Marianne La Barbera, a family physician who practices in Sunnyside. The current vaccine being offered, Shingrix, is much more effective than the previous shingles vaccine offered, the doctor said. “Even people who have had the older vaccine should get the Shingrix to boost their immunity and lower their risk of getting shingles.’’
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine), separated by two to six months, to prevent shingles and complications from the disease.
Shingles, which surfaces as unexplained pain followed by a painful rash that spreads over half of the body, is best avoided, La Barbera stressed.
“It’s very unpleasant, very painful and the pain can last up to weeks, months or indefinitely after the rash is gone,’’ she said. “It’s why you want to try to prevent it. It can really be debilitating and long-term.”
A doctor or pharmacist can administer the vaccine as a shot in the upper arm.
Many are misinformed, believing that they don’t need the vaccine if they’ve had the chickenpox, had shingles already or were vaccinated previously with the earlier vaccine, Zostavax.
But that is not the case.
“No matter if you’ve had the chickenpox, even if you’ve had shingles, or if you’re not sure if you’ve had the chickenpox, you should get the vaccine,’’ La Barbera stressed. “The risk of shingles increases over the age of 50. The older you are, the more likely you are to get it.’’
The two-dose vaccine is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles, the CDC reports. Protection stays above 85% for at least the first four years after you get vaccinated. There is currently no recommendation for additional doses after the initial two doses, La Barbera said.
“What you’re doing is you’re boosting your natural immunity so the virus stays at bay and stays where it hibernated to,’’ she explained.
The downside
Shingrix causes a strong response in the immune system, so it produces unpleasant short-term side effects in many, including a painful headache, fatigue, body aches, chills, fever and nausea. The side effects are more intense than most have experienced from other vaccines, but usually go away on their own in two to three days.
Those over 50 should not be deterred by these reactions, La Barbera said.
“Any localized adverse reactions that you may get are nothing compared to the potential for a chronic, long-term pain syndrome,’’ she said. “You might get some pain, redness, swelling at the site. Sometimes, people get flu-like symptoms, but they pass. Vaccines are meant to prevent serious, debilitating illness.”
In clinical trials, Shingrix was not associated with serious adverse events, according to the CDC.
In fact, serious side effects from vaccines are extremely rare, the federal agency says. For example, for every million doses of a vaccine given, only one or two people may have a severe allergic reaction, which would happen within minutes or hours of receiving the vaccine.
Only those allergic to ingredients in the vaccine should avoid it. It’s also not for children, pregnant women or breastfeeding women.
How do I pay for it?
Medicare Part D plans cover the shingles vaccine, but there may be a cost to patients, depending on their plan. There may be a copay for the vaccine, or they may need to pay in full then get reimbursed for a certain amount.
Medicare Part B does not cover the shingles vaccine.
Medicaid may or may not cover the vaccine and many private health insurance plans will cover the vaccine, but there may be a cost to the patient.
Shingles, which causes a painful rash, is on the rise in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Photo courtesy of the CDC)