Do you remember chickenpox as a child? Did you know that the chickenpox virus can come back years later and cause a very painful disease called herpes zoster, or shingles? This is actually more common than you think. But don't worry, there is now a very effective vaccine to protect against this disease and its severe pain. Today, let's talk about this shingles vaccine in simple terms.
Simply put, what is this shingles vaccine?
The shingles vaccine is a vaccine that is given to our bodies. Its main purpose is to reduce the risk of developing shingles .
Imagine, after we get chickenpox as a child, the virus that causes chickenpox, the Varicella-Zoster virus, does not completely disappear from our bodies. It lies dormant and hidden in our nerve cells. Years later, perhaps as we age or when our immune system is weakened by another illness, the latent virus becomes active again and causes shingles. This is when a painful blister-like rash appears on the skin, usually on one side of the body.
Another big benefit of this vaccine is that it protects against a serious complication of shingles called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) . Simply put, PHN is a severe nerve pain that can last for months, even years, even after the shingles blisters have healed. So the vaccine greatly reduces this risk.
Currently, the most widely used vaccine in the world and in Sri Lanka is Shingrix™ . There was previously a vaccine called `Zostavax®`, but it has now been withdrawn from use because the Shingrix vaccine is much more effective.
Who should get this vaccine? Who should not get it?
This is a very important question. Not everyone needs this vaccine. Let's clearly distinguish between those who are usually recommended by doctors and those who are not.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| 🟢 People who highly recommend getting vaccinated | |
| People aged 50 or over | Because immunity naturally declines with age, the risk of developing shingles increases. Therefore, the vaccine is recommended for everyone in this age group. |
| People with weakened immune systems | This vaccine can also be given to people over the age of 19 who have a weakened immune system due to diseases such as cancer, HIV, or certain medications. |
| People who have had shingles before | Having shingles once does not guarantee that you will not get it again. To prevent recurrence, it is important to get vaccinated after the disease has cleared. |
| People who received the older vaccine (Zostavax) | Even if you have previously received the older vaccine, it is recommended that you receive the newer Shingrix vaccine, which offers greater protection. |
| 🔴 Those who should not get vaccinated or postpone it | |
| Severe allergy | If you have previously had a severe allergic reaction to the first dose of the shingles vaccine, the second dose should not be given. |
| People who have never had chickenpox | If a blood test (titer test) confirms that you are not immune to chickenpox, you need the chickenpox vaccine, not the shingles vaccine. |
| People who are currently suffering from shingles | The vaccine should only be received after the disease has completely healed. |
| Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers | Vaccination is not generally recommended during these periods. Talk to your doctor about this. |
Not sure if you have chickenpox?
This is a question that many people have. If you don't remember or aren't sure, the best thing to do is talk to your doctor . If necessary, you can have a blood test called `titer testing` to see if you have immunity to chickenpox.
Vaccination process and side effects
This is a very simple process.
- How it is given: The vaccine is injected into a muscle in your upper arm.
- Number of doses: Two doses are required for full protection. The second dose should be given between 2 and 6 months after the first dose.
- Duration of protection: Current studies suggest that a high level of protection is achieved for at least 7 years after receiving two doses of the Shingrix vaccine. A third dose (booster) is not currently recommended.
What are the side effects of the vaccine?
Like any vaccine, the shingles vaccine can have some minor side effects. But these are temporary and usually go away within a day or two. They are a sign that your immune system is responding to the vaccine and building up protection.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| 🟡 Common temporary side effects | |
| The injection site | Pain, redness, swelling. |
| General characteristics of the body | Fatigue, headache, fever, muscle aches, stomach aches, nausea. |
| 🚨 Severe allergic reactions that can occur very rarely (seek medical advice immediately!) | |
| Emergency symptoms | Skin rashes (hives), swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and feeling faint. |
Important: If you experience any of the severe allergic symptoms listed above, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Although these are very rare conditions, it is important to be aware of them.
Some frequently asked questions
Can I spread the disease to other people after getting the vaccine?
Absolutely not. Shingrix is not a vaccine that contains a live virus. It only contains a protein part of the virus. Therefore, neither you nor anyone else will get shingles from this vaccine.
Is it possible for me to get shingles even if I get the vaccine?
Although the Shingrix vaccine is more than 90% effective, very rarely, some people can still get shingles despite getting the vaccine. But if they do, the symptoms are much milder, less painful, and the duration of the illness is shorter. And the risk of serious complications like PHN is very low.
Getting a shot is not something everyone likes, but considering the severe pain of shingles and the complications that follow, getting the shot is well worth it.
Take-Home Message
- Shingles is a painful blistering disease that occurs in adulthood, caused by the chickenpox virus, contracted during childhood.
- This vaccine is highly recommended for people over the age of 50 and those with weakened immune systems.
- This is a two-dose vaccine, and the second dose should be received within 2-6 months of the first dose.
- Side effects after vaccination are usually minor and go away within a day or two.
- Even if you get the vaccine, if you do get the disease, it will be very mild.
- Talk to your doctor about whether this vaccine is right for you and when to get it to make the best decision.
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