What You Should Know About Shingles Vaccination

Some people who have had shingles say that it is a very painful disease. It is also quite possible for the disease to eventually lead to serious complications. This is why it is important to know some important facts about shingles vaccination. Getting proper shingles vaccination can save you from pain and a lot of inconvenience.

Chicken Pox Vaccination

Chicken pox is caused by the virus varicella zoster. Just like other viruses of the herpes type, the chicken pox virus does not die but simply lies dormant in the body. When it is reactivated it is known as shingles. It therefore follows that even if shingles vaccination is not possible, your primary line of defense against the virus is to get immunized against chicken pox. Immunization for this disease is usually first given to children with succeeding shots given to teens and young adults. Even with proper vaccination however, some people still develop a milder form of chicken pox.

Reactivation of Chicken Pox Virus

As mentioned, varicella zoster in a person can be reactivated in the future. In a lot of cases, reactivation may happen only decades after the initial chicken pox illness. Reactivation may be triggered by a weak immune system that is the result of illness, an operation or medication. As some people know, reactivation during adulthood can be both a painful and inconvenient experience that may last for a little over a month. This is why it is important to find out about shingles vaccination.

The Virus in the Elderly

People aged 50 or 60 and above are particularly at risk of getting shingles and are in need of shingles vaccination. The elderly are in danger of experiencing a viral reactivation for a variety of reasons. It is possible that illness, medication, medical operations or simple old age can weaken the immune system of the elderly. It is also quite possible that an older person’s immune system has simply forgotten that it once knew how to fight against the varicella zoster virus simply because the virus has been hidden and dormant for a very long time.

Shingles Vaccination

Science has thankfully been able to make shingles vaccination possible to help prevent shingles in people who have already had chicken pox in the past. Shingles vaccination however can only be administered to individuals over 60. This is because the vaccine has only been clinically studied on elderly subjects. There is however no direct prohibition against shingles vaccination that is off label. This means that doctors may use it outside of its intended use for the elderly. There is however always that caution against using a vaccine that has been untested on younger subjects.

Vaccine Limitations

It is obvious that a vaccine for shingles cannot be used to cure someone with shingles or treat the complications associated with shingles. Clinical studies also show that just like chicken pox vaccine, the vaccine for shingles is not 100% effective. In studies, it was only able to prevent shingles in a little over half of the participants. It has also been determined that people who are over 70 may not benefit as much from this shingles vaccine as those who are in the 60s age bracket.