The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended in 2006 that all adults age 60 or older get vaccinated against shingles. Shingles is caused by the virus that causes chicken pox, and contracting it as an adult can be very painful and potentially debilitating. According to the CDC, approximately 1 million adults contract shingles every year, and more than half of those cases can be prevented by being vaccinated.
About Shingles
Shingles is an infection of the nerve roots that causes pain and usually a rash that affects one side of the body. Shingles occurs in older adults who usually have other health problems; the virus, which lies dormant for a number of years, becomes active again. Emotional stress, immune deficiency or cancer can reactive the virus, although a single trigger cannot be pinpointed in most cases. Anyone who has had chicken pox is at risk of developing shingles because the virus never goes away. The CDC estimates that more than 98 percent of older adults have the shingles virus in their system.
Vaccine Function
A 2008 article in "U.S. News & World Report" indicates that shingles is can be disfiguring due to the accompanying rash and blisters. If the blisters occur on your face, it can be a threat to your eyesight. Although rare, shingles also can lead to pneumonia, hearing complications, urinary retention, brain inflammation or possibly death. Approximately 3 percent of those who suffer from shingles will need to be hospitalized. Even though the vaccine does not prevent all outbreaks, shingles can reoccur, and the vaccine may prevent a recurrence.
Benefits
The CDC says the shingles vaccine reduces the risk of developing shingles by at least half and can lessen the severity of the symptoms. In addition, the side effects of the vaccine are reportedly minimal--including redness, pain, tenderness and swelling at the injection site and headaches.
Considerations
Not all insurance plans cover the shingles vaccine, and it can be expensive. Long-term effects of the shingles vaccination are not known, nor are long-term benefits. The vaccine is not 100 percent effective and will not prevent all shingles outbreaks.
Warning
Be sure to talk to your physician if you have a gelatin or neomycin allergy, and do not get the shingles vaccine if you are pregnant or will be in close proximity to a newborn baby, someone with a weakened immune system or anyone who is pregnant. If you have active, untreated tuberculosis, do not get vaccinated against shingles.
