Whether or not you need the new shingles vaccine depends on your individual health history and risk factors. If you are over 50, have had shingles before, or have a weakened immune system, the vaccine is especially important for you.
Additionally, the number of people who get shingles increases with age, so the vaccine may become more important as you get older. If you are unsure whether you need the vaccine or not, it is best to consult with your healthcare provider who can recommend the vaccine based on your individual risk factors.
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Why do I need the new shingles vaccine if I had the old one?
The new shingles vaccine is a recombinant zoster vaccine and is recommended for people who are 50 years and older, regardless of whether they’ve had the prior zoster vaccine, or the old shingles vaccine.
The new shingles vaccine is more effective in preventing the disease, reducing the risk of developing shingles by 97%, compared to the previous shingles vaccine that was only 41% effective. It also reduces the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia (pain after shingles) by 67%.
For people who had the prior shingles vaccine, the new vaccine may offer additional protection against the disease and provide better protection against complications. Additionally, the new shingles vaccine may help protect an individual’s body from the virus that causes shingles by providing a stronger immune response.
Therefore, even if you had the previous shingles vaccine, it is still recommended to get the new shingles vaccine.
Does the Shingrix vaccine last a lifetime?
No, the Shingrix vaccine does not last a lifetime. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people get the Shingrix vaccine in two doses, given two to six months apart. After getting both doses, it is expected that a person will be protected from shingles for at least five years.
It is not known how long the vaccine will last beyond five years, so individuals should speak with their healthcare provider to discuss the need for future doses.
Should I get another Shingrix vaccine after 5 years?
Whether or not you should get another Shingrix vaccine after 5 years depends on several factors. First, you should consult your healthcare provider to see if they recommend getting another dose. Your age, health status, and other personal factors could all impact whether or not it makes sense to get a second dose.
In most cases, the Shingrix vaccine offers protection for at least five years and you may not need to get a second dose. However, there are certain individuals who may benefit from getting an additional dose.
These include people with weakened immune systems and those who are 65 years and older. Additionally, those who live in areas with high rates of shingles may also benefit from a second dose. Therefore, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider before making a decision about whether or not to get a second Shingrix vaccine after 5 years.
Does the shingles vaccine need to be repeated?
The shingles vaccine is a recombinant live virus vaccine designed to prevent shingles. It is recommended for most adults age 60 or over and is considered particularly important for people over age 80.
Currently available shingles vaccines are single-dose vaccines and need to be repeated. Which should be given two to six months apart for people aged 50–59 years. It is important to note that even those who have been vaccinated against shingles may still develop the condition, though it is typically less severe and has a shorter duration.
It is also important to talk to your healthcare provider to determine if getting the vaccine is right for you, as people with certain medical conditions may not be candidates for the vaccine.
How many shingles shots do you need in a lifetime?
The number of shingles shots you need in a lifetime depends on your age and other factors such as whether you have had a previous dose of the shingles vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a single dose of the shingles vaccine for all adults aged 50 years and older, regardless of whether they report a prior episode of shingles.
The vaccine is also recommended for certain groups of people between the ages of 40 and 49, including pregnant women, people with certain medical conditions, people undergoing immunosuppressive treatments, and individuals who have had a previous dose of the vaccine.
In terms of additional doses of the vaccine, the CDC recommends individuals aged 60 years and older receive a second dose of the shingles vaccine 5 to 6 months after the first dose. For those aged 50 to 59 years, the CDC does not currently recommend the use of the shingles vaccine booster dose.
However, research suggests that for individuals in this age group who have already received the shingles vaccine, a second or even a third dose may offer additional protection from the virus.
It is important to talk to your healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for you regarding the shingles vaccine. In general, for adults aged 50 years and older, one dose is recommended.
And for individuals aged 60 years and older, a second dose is recommended 5 to 6 months after the first dose.
How many years does a shingles vaccine last?
The shingles vaccine typically provides protection for up to five years. However, it is recommended that people over the age of 60 receive a booster shot every five years. Studies have also shown that it is possible to achieve even better protection through a series of regular booster shots.
As such, if you are age 60 or older, it is recommended that you receive a shingles vaccine every three to five years in order to provide the best possible protection. Additionally, since age is a risk factor for shingles, the stronger the immunity measures you take to protect yourself, the better the chances of not developing shingles in the future.
Why was Zostavax taken off the market?
In April 2021, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that the shingles vaccine, Zostavax, should be taken off the market due to concerns that it is not as effective at preventing shingles in older adults as the newer, more effective shingles vaccine, Shingrix.
After this recommendation, Merck, the company that manufactures Zostavax, announced that it would suspend sales, distribution and use of the vaccine.
Studies conducted on Zostavax showed that it has inferior efficacy rates compared to other approved shingles vaccines, including Shingrix. In a clinical study of more than 39,000 seniors over the age of 60, it showed that those who contracted shingles had lower protection against the virus when compared with those who had been vaccinated with Shingrix.
Furthermore, the same study showed that the immunity provided by Shingrix lasted for four years, while the protection from Zostavax waned after one year. These studies have led regulators to conclude that Zostavax is no longer effective for the prevention of shingles in older adults and the recommendation to take it off the market was made.
In addition to waning levels of efficacy, Zostavax also has the potential to cause serious health complications, including meningitis, heart inflammation and spinal cord inflammation. As a result, the CDC has also recommended not using Zostavax for any new vaccinations and that those currently using Zostavax should be encouraged to switch to Shingrix.
Why was the shingles vaccine recalled?
The shingles vaccine was recalled due to a potential manufacturing contamination at a Sanofi Pasteur plant in Toronto, Canada in October 2018. Despite the vaccine passing inspection and release tests in accordance with strict US and Canadian regulatory requirements, Sanofi Pasteur discovered that the vaccine could potentially be contaminated with a bacteria called Burkholderia cereus.
In response, Sanofi Pasteur issued a recall of all unused vaccine doses distributed in 2018 and urged healthcare providers to stop administering the vaccine until the company conducted a thorough investigation.
The recall was issued as a precautionary measure to ensure patient safety, and no adverse events were reported as a result of the potential contamination. Sanofi Pasteur worked closely with both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada to investigate the issue and re-establish manufacturing procedures to ensure the safety and quality of their vaccines.
Additionally, Sanofi Pasteur established a program to compensate affected healthcare providers for costs incurred due to the recall.
The recall was lifted in December 2018, once Sanofi Pasteur completed their investigation and took steps to ensure the safety and quality of their vaccines. The company continues to work closely with regulatory agencies worldwide to maintain the quality of their vaccines and protect public health.
What percentage of people have side effects from Shingrix vaccine?
The most common side effects reported after taking the Shingrix vaccine are redness, soreness, swelling, or itching at the injection site (54.3%), pain or muscle aches (50%), fatigue or feeling of general discomfort (23.2%), and headaches (11.7%).
It is estimated that approximately 1 in 3 people (33.3%) have at least one of these side effects after receiving the vaccine. Severe side effects are less common and less serious than the common side effects.
Severe side effects reported after taking Shingrix vaccine include hives (1.2%), rash (0.5%), severe pain or muscle aches (4.6%), and severe fatigue or feeling of general discomfort (2.8%). It is estimated that approximately 1 in 16 people (6.2%) have at least one of these severe side effects after receiving the vaccine.
It is important to be aware of possible side effects before getting the vaccine. If you experience any of the side effects listed above, or any other side effects that seem unusual or bothersome, contact your healthcare provider.
Can Shingrix cause shingles flare up?
No, Shingrix cannot cause a shingles flare-up. Shingrix is a vaccine designed to reduce the risk of shingles, and does not contain any live or inactive form of the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that causes shingles.
Additionally, Shingrix does not boost immunity or alter the body’s defenses in any way that could make a person more prone to shingles infection. Rather, Shingrix works by introducing pieces of the virus’ protein shell into the body, which then stimulates the body’s immune system to build up protection against it.
Research suggests that individuals who have received Shingrix have far fewer cases of shingles than those who have not received it, so it is an effective tool for prevention.
How long is the shingles vaccine good for?
The shingles vaccine is generally recommended for adults over the age of 50, and it is effective for at least five years after the initial vaccine. After the initial vaccine, boosters are recommended at five year intervals.
Studies have shown that the vaccine is safe, and that the protection it provides can last for up to nine years after the first vaccination. It is recommended that adults get the shingles vaccine even if they have been vaccinated previously, as the level of protection may wane with time.
What triggers shingles?
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the same virus that is responsible for chickenpox. After someone has chickenpox, the virus lays dormant in the nerve cells in the body and can be reactivated at any time.
This reactivation can occur due to a number of different factors, including:
• A weakened immune system. When the immune system is weakened due to other illnesses, medications, chemotherapy, or long-term stress, it can put the body at higher risk for shingles.
• Age. The risk of shingles increases with age, as the immune system tends to weaken with age, making it more difficult for the body to fight off viruses.
• Certain medications. Certain medications, such as corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and HUMIRA® (adalimumab) can reduce one’s immune defenses and increase the risk of shingles.
• Exposure to stress. Mental or emotional stress can also weaken the immune system and make it more susceptible to infection. Managing stress effectively is important in staying healthy and reducing the risk of shingles.
Is Shingrix good for 10 years?
No, the effectiveness of Shingrix, the shingles vaccine, is not guaranteed for 10 years. While the vaccine is expected to provide long-lasting protection, clinical data suggests that immunity may vary and should be re-evaluated every 5 years to ensure optimal protection.
For seniors, two doses of Shingrix are generally recommended upon initial immunization, and most people should continue to get regular boosters every 5 years. Talk with your healthcare provider to determine the best interval for your individual needs.
Additionally, people should talk with their healthcare provider about any other existing health conditions that may interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccine.
