Q: I am 65 years old, fairly healthy, and have never had shingles. Should I receive the shingles vaccine?
Dr. Chris Prakash, eParisExtra columnist
A: I get asked this question a lot. Anybody who has had shingles can tell you it is not a fun thing to get, and we have a vaccine to prevent it. As you probably know, shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox (Varicella Zoster virus). After causing chicken pox, this virus is never cleared from the body, but remains dormant in the nerve tissues. When the body’s immune system is weakened due to any reason, this virus can get activated and cause herpes zoster (common name is shingles). Shingles often appears as a blistery rash along the course of a nerve, on one side of the body.
The shingles vaccine contains a weakened chickenpox virus. The shingles vaccine can help in several different ways:
Reduces the risk of getting shingles in people aged 60 and older (by about 50%).
Reduces post herpetic neuralgia (nerve pain associated with shingles).
The shingles vaccine also works to stop the spread of the virus.
Who Should Get the Shingles Vaccine?
The CDC recommends a single dose of the shingles vaccine for people aged 60 and older, even if they’ve already had a bout of shingles. At this time, CDC does not have a recommendation for routine use of shingles vaccine in persons 50 through 59 years old. However, the vaccine is approved by FDA for people 50 and older.
Who Should not Get the Shingles Vaccine?
According to the CDC, the following groups of people should not get the vaccine:
Those who have a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or any other component of the shingles vaccine.
HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system
Treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids
Cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy
A history of cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, such as leukemia or lymphoma
Active, untreated tuberculosis
Pregnancy (or might be pregnant). Please note that women should not become pregnant until at least three months after getting shingles vaccine.
FAQs about the Vaccine:
What are the side effects from the vaccine?
The vaccine is given in the back of the arm. It may cause some redness or soreness at the site of injection. Other side effects are uncommon.
Can I get the vaccine if I have a cold?
It is OK to get the vaccine if you have a minor cold, but wait if you have a serious respiratory illness such as pneumonia.
Should I Get the Vaccine if I’ve already Had Shingles?
Yes, the shingles vaccine should be given regardless of a history of shingles.
Can I Get the Shingles Vaccine if I’m under 50?
The CDC does not recommend getting the vaccine before 50 years of age.
Will the vaccine prevent Genital Herpes?
No. Even though shingles is caused by a “herpes” virus, it is a different virus, and the vaccine will not protect against other forms of herpes including genital herpes.
This information is strictly an opinion of Dr Prakash and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Dr. Chris Prakash is a contributing columnist and author of eParisExtra’s “The Doctor is In” column. He is a medical oncologist at Texas Oncology-Paris. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Oncology and Hematology. He lives in Paris, TX with his wife and two children. He can be reached at (903)785-0031 or Sucharu.prakash@usoncology.com.