Is Shingles Vaccine Effective?

All About The Vaccine For Herpes Zoster.

Aug 4, 2008
Hanish Babu

herpes zoster - Dr.Hanish Babu,MD, 2008

Shingles vaccine is effective in preventing and reducing the incidence, severity, duration and complications of herpes zoster.

Shingles vaccine is a live vaccine against the viral disease shingles, also known as herpes zoster. It is also known as Zoster vaccine or vaccine for herpes zoster. It was licensed in US in 2006 for adults above 60 years of age. It is given as a single shot, usually in the upper arm below the shoulder. The vaccine has been proven to reduce the incidence, duration, severity and complications of shingles.

Why Should I Get Vaccinated Against Shingles?

The severity of shingles increases sharply above the age of 60. Dreaded complications like postherpetic neuralgia are also higher in the older age group. Rare complications of shingles include pneumonia, blindness, inflammation of brain and its covering, and, rarely, death. Shingles is very common, and, according to CDC, every year 1 million US citizens are afflicted by the virus. Without vaccination, about 20% of people who have had chickenpox eventually can get shingles. The vaccine for shingles plays a major role in the prevention of shingles and its complications.

Is Shingles Vaccine Effective?

In a clinical trial involving thousands of adults 60 years and older, the vaccine for shingles reduced the risk of shingles by 51 percent. In addition, the vaccine also reduced the risk of postherpetic neuralgia by 67 percent. The duration and severity of the attack were also significantly reduced in those who received the vaccine for herpes zoster.

Who Should Receive Shingles Vaccine?

The Centers for Disease Controls recommends that people aged 60 and older should receive the shingles or zoster vaccine, irrespective of whether they have had chickenpox before or not.

Who Should Not Receive Shingles Vaccine?

According to the CDC, the vaccine is restricted for use in the following categories of people:

Those allergic to gelatin, neomycin or any other component of the vaccine.
Those with immune deficiency disease like HIV/AIDS
Individuals who are on immune suppressing medications like steroids or anticancer drugs.
Patients suffering from cancers of bone marrow or lymphatic system like leukemia or lymphomas.
Untreated tuberculosis cases
Is pregnant, or is likely to become pregnant within 3 months

CDC does not recommend shingles vaccination for those below 60 years of age at present.

I Already Have Had Herpes Zoster. Should I Receive Shingles Vaccine Again?

As the recurrence rate of herpes zoster or shingles is rare, those who have already had herpes zoster need not receive shingles vaccine again. The CDC however, does recommend vaccination of all individuals above 60 years irrespective of whether they have had herpes zoster or not.

Is Shingles Vaccine Safe? Are There Any Side Effects?

The vaccine is recommended above 60 years and its safety in adults below the 60 age group has not been documented yet.

Side effects of shingles vaccine include itching, pain, tenderness and swelling at the injection site, allergic reactions, fever, headache. Serious side effects are rare and have not yet been reported.

Is There Any Need for a Booster Dose of Shingles Vaccine?

Clinical follow-up studies are being conducted to determine how long the vaccine remains effective. If immunity against the disease reduces in the long run, a booster shot may be necessary. At present the effect of vaccine thought to persist for upto 6 years.

Updated: Nov 28, 2010