Shingles Vaccine Information
What You Need to Know
1. What is Shingles?
Shingles is a painful skin rash, often with blisters. It
is called Herpes Zoster or just Zoster. It is an
unpredictable disease that can occur at any time
with no warning.
A shingles rash typically appears on one side of the
face or body and last for 2 to 4 weeks. Its main
symptom is pain and can be very severe. The pain
or tingling sensation often comes on before the
rash. Other symptoms can include fever, headache
and chills. Complications of shingles include
scarring, bacterial infections, weakness or muscle
paralysis. Very rarely shingles can lead to
pneumonia, hearing loss, blindness, brain
inflammation (encephalitis) or death.
For about 1 person in 5 the severe nerve pain can
continue long after the rash clears up. This is called
post herpetic neuralgia. The nerve pain can last for
months or years after the rash has healed. For
some people this nerve pain can get in the way of
normal day-to-day activities such as walking,
sleeping and social activities. The pain of shingles
can also lead to emotional distress.
Shingles is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus, the
same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus stays
in your body, and can cause shingles many years
later.
Shingles is far more common in people 50 years of
age and older than in younger people. The life time
risk of getting shingles is as high as 30%. For people
who reach 85 years of age, one of every two will
have had shingles.
Common sites where shingles may occur.
2. Shingles Vaccine
A vaccine for the prevention of shingles (zoster) has
been available in Canada since 2009. In clinical
studies, the vaccine reduced the risk of developing
shingles by 50%. It also reduced pain (post herpetic
neuralgia) in people who still got shingles after
being vaccinated by 75%.
The shingles vaccine boosts your immune system
to help protect you from shingle. It cannot be used
to treat existing shingles or the pain associated
with existing shingles. It is safe to receive the
vaccine if you have had shingles in the past and
fully recovered.
The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults of
60 years of age or older. A single dose of the
vaccine is given by an injection under the skin.
Call now to make an appointment for your
vaccine.
Nova Immunization Clinic
Suite 206, 1964 Fort St, Victoria, BC
Tel 250-370-2366
See the next page for more important information.
3. Who should not get the
shingles vaccine or wait?
A person should not get the shingles vaccine if they
have:
- An allergy to neomycin antibiotic or have a severe
allergy to gelatine.
-A weakened immune system because of current:
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Cancer treatment with radiation or
chemotherapy.
Prolonged use of high dose steroids.
Cancer that affects the bone marrow or
lymphatics such as lymphoma or leukemia
AIDS or diseases or medications that affect
the immune system.
Is pregnant or might be pregnant. Women
should not become pregnant for at least 4
weeks after getting the shingles vaccine.
Someone with a minor acute illness, such as a cold,
may be vaccinated. Someone with a moderate or
severe acute illness should wait until they have
recovered before getting the vaccine. This includes
a temperature of 38.4 C or higher.
4. What are the side effects
of the shingles vaccine?
A vaccine, like any medication, could possibly cause
serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions.
However no serious problems have been identified
with the shingles vaccine.
Mild Problems
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Redness, soreness, swelling or itching at the
site of injection. (about 1 person in 3)
Headache (about 1 person in 70)
Fever
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Joint or muscle pains
Like all vaccines the shingles vaccine is being
monitored for unusual or severe problems.
5. Answers to Questions
about the Vaccine.
Q: What is the duration of protection of the
shingles vaccine?
A: Data published so far indicates that the effect of
the vaccine persists for at least 7 years. Ongoing
studies will reassess if it is longer.
Q: Do you need a booster?
A: The need for a booster dose is not necessary.
Q: Can the vaccine be given to a person who has
already had shingles?
A: The shingles vaccine is not a treatment for active
shingles, yet the vaccine is safe and effective to
those who have had shingles in the past.
Q: Can the vaccine be used in a person with an
unknown chickenpox history? Do you need to do a
blood test?
A: Yes the vaccine can be used in a person with an
unknown chickenpox history. There is no need for a
blood test before the shingles vaccine is given.
Q: Can the vaccine be given to those under age 60?
A: Though the vaccine is currently indicated for
people 60 years of age and older, the vaccine is
safe and effective for those who are younger.
Call now to make an appointment for your vaccine.
Nova Immunization Clinic
Suite 206, 1964 Fort St, Victoria, BC
Tel 250-370-2366