{"id":14991,"date":"2022-01-24T15:31:36","date_gmt":"2022-01-24T21:31:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=14991"},"modified":"2022-04-20T11:45:59","modified_gmt":"2022-04-20T16:45:59","slug":"shingles-vaccine-best-defense-against-an-outbreak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/shingles-vaccine-best-defense-against-an-outbreak\/","title":{"rendered":"Shingles vaccine: Best defense against an outbreak"},"content":{"rendered":"

About one out of every three people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. Fortunately, the shingles vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent an outbreak.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve had a shingles attack, then you know how painful it can be. However, a shingles attack can have more consequences than just a painful, blistering rash. One of the main complications that can result from a shingles outbreak is postherpetic neuralgia<\/a> (PHN).<\/p>\n

\u201cPHN causes continuous, chronic pain that lasts even after the skin sores have healed,\u201d said Jason Scheid, director of ambulatory pharmacy for OSF HealthCare. \u201cIt is long-term nerve pain after the rash resolves and can be severe enough to impact your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shingles<\/a> and PHN can be debilitating. Prevention is your best approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe older you are when you get shingles, the greater the risk for PHN,\u201d Jason said. \u201cIf the rash presents on your face, there is also a risk of impacting your eye and causing vision problems or even vision loss, so it is essential to be evaluated right away. There is also the potential for rashes and open lesions to become infected.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recommendations<\/h2>\n

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine<\/a> called Shingrix<\/a>, separated by 2 to 6 months, to prevent shingles and complications from the disease.<\/p>\n

\n

Talk to your doctor about the shingles vaccine.<\/p>\n

> OSF MyChart.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Shingrix vaccine is approved for adults age 50 and older. It is available at most OSF HealthCare provider offices and community pharmacies. The vaccine was more than 90% effective at preventing shingles in clinical trials. Protection stays above 85% for at least the first four years after being vaccinated.<\/p>\n

Side effects<\/h2>\n

The vaccine is given as an intramuscular injection in the arm, and side effects are generally mild. The most common side effects are soreness and arm pain, but redness or swelling is also possible at the injection site.<\/p>\n

Tiredness, headache, fever, muscle pain and gastrointestinal side effects like nausea or stomach pain occur in about half of people, but they usually only last for a day or two.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe side effects of the vaccine are usually limited to a few days of discomfort while a shingles infection can be extremely painful and have long-term complications, like PHN,\u201d Jason said. \u201cGetting the vaccine will protect you from suffering through severe shingles infection and the painful rashes that may develop.\u201d<\/p>\n

What does it cost?<\/h2>\n

Most insurances will cover the shingles vaccine, but the coverage varies. The vaccine can be administered at an OSF office under your medical benefits, but some plans, based on your age, will require the vaccine to be administered at a retail pharmacy under your pharmacy benefits.<\/p>\n

Out-of-pocket costs<\/a> will vary by plan and deductible but may be covered as a preventive care benefit. Check with your provider or insurance plan for more details.<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting the shingles vaccine<\/a> when you are eligible is the best way to protect yourself from shingles,\u201d Jason said. \u201cEven if you previously received Zostavax vaccine in the past (an older shingles vaccine no longer available), Shingrix can provide additional protection and is still recommended for vaccination.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shingrix is in high demand, which has led to shortages at times. Call ahead to see if it\u2019s available and ask to be added to the list if there\u2019s a wait. Talk to your doctor<\/a> or pharmacist about being vaccinated today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Shingles is caused by a virus that can reactivate in the body as we age and the immune system weakens. Preventing the virus and avoiding flare ups starts with talking to your doctor or pharmacist about being vaccinated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":14993,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[735],"tags":[602,933,74],"coauthors":[687],"class_list":["post-14991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-preventive-health","tag-primary-care","tag-shingles","tag-vaccines"],"yoast_head":"\nShingles vaccine: Best defense against an outbreak<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Complications and painful symptoms can occur from the shingles virus. 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