Shingles Vaccine Recommended for Seniors

New vaccine prevents shingles in 50% of those immunized at age 60-plus 

A new vaccine called Zostavax can dramatically reduce the risk of getting shingles in people age 60 and older.  It is now recommended that people in this age group be given a single dose of the vaccine even if a person has had a previous episode of shingles, a condition that can be debilitating and cause long-lasting pain.

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is an infection that develops when the virus that causes chickenpox is re-triggered later in life. The condition only occurs in people who have had chickenpox—which includes about 95% of the population. The risk of developing shingles increases with age. Each year, over a million North Americans develop the condition, and it affects about one-fifth of all people at least once during their lifetime.

Shingles usually develops as a rash or series of blisters on the skin, generally on one side of the body, often including itching, a burning sensation or shooting pain. The pain that shingles causes can be quite severe and can last for several months or even years. However, for most people the pain usually goes away in one to three months.

More than one-third of those who get shingles experience complications. If shingles occurs on a person's face, it can affect hearing and vision. Shingles in the eyes can lead to temporary or permanent blindness. And a percentage of those who get shingles develop postherpetic neuralgia, with persistent pain and unpleasant sensations, which can result in long-term debilitation.

Although no one knows precisely what causes the condition to develop, the virus is more likely to reactivate in older persons and those with a weakened immune system.

A study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that Zostavax can reduce the occurrence of shingles by 50% and that the vaccine's effect is highest, at 64%, in people ages 60 to 69. Its effectiveness declined with increasing age to 41% for those age 70 to 79 and 18% for those age 80 or older. Side effects can include redness, pain and swelling at the site of the injection, and headache. People with a weakened immune system from radiation or AIDS, those taking corticosteroids, or who have certain forms of cancer should not receive the vaccine.

While Zostavax can prevent shingles, for many people it is not an effective treatment once a person develops the condition. Antiviral medications can reduce the severity of shingles and shorten its duration. Taking the medication within the first three days of symptoms yields the best outcome.

The information in this article is not intended to replace the advice of your healthcare provider. If you have questions about preventing shingles, or if you think you may have the condition, contact your physician or other healthcare provider.

Photo: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)