Who should get vaccinated against shinglesĪnyone who wants to protect themselves against shingles can talk to their vaccination provider about getting vaccinated. Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect you from serious disease caused by shingles. Shingles can cause severe pain that can last for months. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia.Ĭlick here to view the image in full screen.Shingles (also called herpes zoster) is the disease caused when the chickenpox virus reactivates. Rare complications of shingles include pneumonia (an infection of the lungs), loss of hearing or vision, scarring, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), or death.Ībout 1 in 5 people who get shingles may have severe nerve pain that lasts months to years after the rash has cleared. Shingles is more common in people over 50 years of age and in those with immune systems weakened by medication or disease. This is uncommon and requires direct contact with the fluid from the shingles blisters.Ībout 1 out of 3 people will get shingles in their lifetime. However, it is possible for someone who has not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine to get chickenpox from someone with shingles. You cannot get shingles from someone who has shingles. In some people who have had chickenpox, the virus becomes active again later in life and causes shingles. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles is a painful skin rash with blisters. Some health insurance plans may cover the cost of the vaccine check with your provider. ![]() Zostavax® II is given as 1 dose and costs about $200. Zostavax® II has been shown to reduce the risk of getting shingles by 50%. Zostavax® II may be given to adults 50 years of age and older who cannot get Shingrix® due to a life-threatening reaction to a previous dose of Shingrix® vaccine or any part of the vaccine, or due to the Shingrix® vaccine being unavailable. The Shingrix® vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of getting shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia (a type of severe pain that lasts months to years after shingles) by more than 90%.įor those who still get shingles after being immunized, the vaccine can reduce pain, including the type of pain that lasts after shingles. Look for clinics providing the shingles vaccine in your area at vaccines411.ca. Call ahead to ask about vaccine availability. The vaccine can be purchased at some pharmacies and travel clinics. Read more about this on the FNHA website. Some health insurance plans may cover the cost of the vaccine check with your insurance provider. As of February 1, 2021, Shingrix® vaccine coverage is available at no cost to First Nations Elders who are 65 years old and older. ![]() The vaccine is not provided for free in B.C. The vaccine is given as two doses, at least two to six months apart. If you have a weakened immune system, you should discuss getting the vaccine with your health care provider.You should wait until the rash has gone away to get vaccinated speak with your health care provider. You should not get the vaccine if you currently have shingles disease. You should wait at least 1 year before getting Shingrix® if you received Zostavax® II. This includes those who have had shingles disease or received Zostavax® II in the past and those who are not sure if they had chickenpox (varicella) infection in the past. Shingrix® is recommended for adults 50 years of age and older. Stories about vaccine-preventable diseases.Vaccine testing, approval, and monitoring.Schedule for school-age children & teens.
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