Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that affects your skin and nerves. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. It is a highly transmissible infection that causes a painful, blistering rash on your skin. It can also lead to nerve damage.
Fortunately, an effective vaccination is available to decrease your chances of getting shingles.
The vaccine comes in two doses, usually between 2 and 6 months apart. There is no booster for this vaccine, and you should only need to get it once.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people should get the vaccine when they reach the age of 50 and are healthy. A person who has a weakened immune system and 19 or older should also receive the vaccine.
What is the shingles vaccine?
Shingrix is the only shingles vaccine available in the United States. Doctors may call it the recombinant zoster vaccine.
According to the CDC, everyone over 50 years should receive this vaccine. After the full two doses, you can expect over 90% effective protection from shingles.
Another shingles vaccine, Zostavax, is no longer available to people in the United States as of December 2020. It is less effective than Shingrix, offering only 51% effectiveness in preventing shingles. It is safe to get the Shingrix vaccine even if you have already had Zostavax.
As well as the Shingrix vaccine, getting the chickenpox vaccine in childhood may help prevent shingles. Evidence shows that children who receive the chickenpox vaccine can have up to a 78% lower risk of developing shingles than those who do not.
However, some people will still go on to develop shingles years after their chickenpox vaccination. This is less than the number that get shingles after a chickenpox infection. The Shingrix vaccine is the only way to get the highest protection against shingles.
Who should get the shingles vaccine?
Adults over the age of 50 are most likely to develop shingles. Also, the older a person is, the more at risk they are of long-term complications. This is why it is a good idea to get the Shingrix vaccine if you are over 50.
According to the CDC, you should get the Shingrix vaccine even if you:
- are over the age of 50
- have previously had shingles
- are over the age of 19 and have a weakened immune system
- have received a Zostavax vaccine
- have received a chickenpox vaccine
Can you get the vaccine more than once?
The Shingrix vaccine is an injection into your upper arm that lasts for around 10 years after you receive the vaccination. It can still provide protection after this time but may be less effective. You only need to get both doses of the vaccine once.
If you receive both doses of the vaccine, it is:
- up to 97% effective in people between the ages of 50 and 69
- up to 91% effective in preventing shingles in people 70 years of age
- 68–91% effective in protecting against shingles in people with weakened immune systems
The vaccine comes in two doses. After the first dose of Shingrix, you will receive the second dose between 2 and 6 months later. If you are immunodeficient, receiving your second dose 1–2 months after your first dose may be a good idea.
There is currently no booster vaccination for shingles available in the United States.
Other treatments
There are medications, antivirals that can help to speed up your healing process and reduce pain during a shingles infection. Receiving an early diagnosis and prescription of these medications 24–72 hours after noticing a rash will ensure they are effective.
Home remedies can help soothe itching and prevent complications from scratching.
Some of these treatments and medications include:
| Treatment | Type | How? |
|---|---|---|
| Antiviral medications | Prescription antivirals, e.g., valacyclovir (Valtrex) or famciclovir (Famvir). | These treatments typically last 5–7 days and are oral tablets. |
| Other medications | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, like ibuprofen) and corticosteroids, like prednisone (Deltasone). | These medications can help reduce inflammation and reduce pain. |
| Home remedies | Applying a paste of water, cornstarch, and baking soda to a shingles rash. Calamine lotions may also help. | These solutions can help stop itching. This can help prevent secondary infections of the blisters, which can cause further damage to your skin and prevent healing. |
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The shingles vaccine protects you from developing shingles and PHN. It can last around 10 years at full effectiveness, but you should only get the vaccine once.
If you are 50 or above with a healthy immune system or at least 19 with a weakened immune system, consider speaking with a doctor about getting this vaccination.
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