Shingles Vaccine

The shingles vaccine has been available for some time but is not recommended for all individuals. The current recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control suggest that the shingles vaccine is best for individuals over the age of 60, irrespective whether or not they have acquired shingles in the past.

At the moment, shingles vaccine is not recommended for adults under the age of 60. Other individuals who should not receive the shingles vaccine include those who have HIV, are on long-term corticosteroid therapy, are on chemotherapeutic drugs, or have low immunity.

The shingles vaccine is not 100% effective and there is no guarantee that one will not acquire shingles after being vaccinated. However, there is a benefit from the vaccine even if you acquire shingles.

Individuals who do get vaccinated generally develop a very mild version of the infection. In addition, the duration and intensity of symptoms are also reduced. Another benefit of the shingles vaccine is that one has a very low chance of developing the dreaded and painful post herpetic neuralgia syndrome.

The current efficacy of the shingles vaccine stands around 50%, but it also reduces the risk of developing post herpetic neuralgia by 70%