Who Should Get the Shingles Vaccine?

Herpes Zoster Vaccination Designed for Seniors

Sep 24, 2009 Tamiko Nicholson

The shingles vaccine has been made available in Canada starting in September 2009, and it’s been available in the US for the last two years. Merck Frosst is the drug company that makes the vaccine which is called Zostavax. Studies have shown that it can help protect against shingles, which is also known as herpes zoster or zoster. Shingles is a painful rash that is caused by the reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Shingles Vaccine Recommended for People Aged 60 and Over

Although the risk for developing herpes zoster increase around the age of 50, the vaccine is only recommended for people 60 years old and older. That’s because the studies, which looked at side effects and safety, only involved participants who were age 60 and older. More research is expected to see if younger folks can get the vaccination.

Never Too Old to Get Shingles Vaccination

Not only does the risk of getting shingles go up, but so do the chances of suffering more severe effects – particularly for those over the age of 60. In a May 2009 update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that there is no maximum age for getting vaccinated against herpes zoster.

Can’t Remember If Had Chickenpox

People can only get shingles if they had chickenpox. The virus that causes chickenpox lies dormant in the body and can lead to shingles later in life. Some people don’t remember if they had chickenpox or not because it was so long ago or they had it so young. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, studies have shown that almost 100 per cent of Americans 40 years old and older have had the chickenpox – regardless of whether they remember having it or not. The CDC recommends that anyone aged 60 or more should get the shingles vaccine, even if he is unsure if he had the chickenpox.

People Who Had Shingles Before Can Get Shingles Vaccine

People who have had shingles in the past can receive the Zostavax vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease. This is true no matter when they first had shingles.

After Having Shingles, When is a Good Time to Get Vaccinated?

The decision to have this vaccination, whether having had shingles or not, should always be discussed with one’s doctor. Currently, there is no set time for how long a person has to wait before getting the shot. Ideally, a person who has shingles should wait until the rash has gone before getting the vaccine. Each person’s case is different, so it’s important to speak with a physician to decide if and when it should be done.

Not Everyone Should Get the Herpes Zoster Vaccine

Who should not get the shingles vaccine? The CDC recommends that the following groups of people not get the Zostavax vaccine:

• Anyone who is at risk of having a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin.
• Anyone who has a serious allergy to any other ingredients in the vaccine which include:

1. Sucrose
2. Sodium chloride
3. Monosodium L-glutamate monohydrate
4. Sodium phosphate dibasic
5. Potassium phosphate monobasic
6. Potassium chloride

If the person has any serious allergies, he or she should make sure to talk about this with the doctor before getting the shot.

• Anyone who has leukemia, lymphoma, or any kind of blood or bone cancer that has weakened the immune system.
• Anyone with HIV/AIDS with a T-cell count that is below 200.
• Anyone who is taking drugs like high-dose steroids that could affect the immune system.
• Any woman who thinks she could possibly be pregnant or who is pregnant.

Children Should Not Get this Vaccine

The shingles vaccine should not be given to children. A chickenpox vaccine is available for children to protect them from chicken pox, and the Zostavax vaccine cannot be used as a substitute.

Herpes Zoster Vaccine Does Not Work for Genital Herpes

The Zostavax vaccine was specifically created to protect people from herpes zoster not any other forms of herpes. Therefore, the shingles vaccination will not provide people with protection from genital herpes.

Read about side effects, effectiveness and how long the herpes zoster vaccine lasts by reading Shingles Vaccine for Seniors. To find out about what is in the vaccine and how it works, check out Learn About Shingles Vaccine.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vaccines and Preventable Diseases: Herpes Zoster Vaccine Q&A (Shingles), May 2009.

Merck Frosst, Product Monograph: Zostavax, August 5, 2009.

Merck Frosst, Merck Frosst’s Zostavax Now Available in Canada, September 22, 2009.