A new Shingles vaccine called Shingrix developed by
GlaxoSmithKline has been recently approved by the CDC in October and is approximated
to cost $300 for the vaccination. Both shingles and chickenpox are caused by
varicella zoster, a herpesvirus. Shingles, which is more prevalent and more of
a risk factor as you get older, has been a problem for the older more elderly
population because of the long-lasting symptoms associated with it. Some
symptoms, apart from rashes and blisters that is present in both shingles and
chickenpox, include nerve pain and some serious symptoms like the development
of pneumonia, the development of hearing problems, and occasionally brain
inflammation.
The old Shingles vaccine was called Zostavax, a weak-live
attenuated vaccine with a 51% efficacy against the disease, approved by the FDA
for individuals aged over 50. The CDC however, noted that people who got this
vaccine before the age of 60 showed that they were more susceptible to
developing Shingles later on rather than if they waited after 60 years of age.
An improvement upon Zostavax then, revolves around the notion that Shingrix, an
inactivated vaccine, has proven to be effective in stopping Shingles in
individuals that are over 80 years of age according to Dr. Rudolph Kotula, an
infectious disease physician involved with the new Shingles vaccine. The most
notable improvement in Shingrix however, is a high 90% efficacy rate in
preventing the development of Shingles, even for individuals older than 80
years old. Shingrix is also recommended for individuals who have taken the old
Shingles vaccine Zostavax.
Basically, if you are around the age where you
should be worrying about Shingles, you should probably go ahead and get the
vaccination and almost guarantee that you won’t get Shingles ever.
Source:
-Daniel Gutierrez
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