Is Shingrix Or Zostavax More Effective
Shingrix and Zostavax have both been proven to prevent shingles. However, Shingrix is a newer vaccine that is considered more effective than Zostavax. Shingrix is even recommended for those who have already received the Zostavax vaccine in the past.
Clinical trials have shown that Shingrix is 97% effective at preventing shingles in adults aged 50 to 69 years old. Shingrix is also effective in preventing shingles in older adultsadults over the age of 70, Shingrix is 91% effective.
Zostavax has a 70% efficacy rate in preventing shingles in adults aged 50 to 69 years old, according to the Zoster Efficacy and Safety Trial . Results from the Shingles Prevention Study showed that Zostavax is 51% effective against shingles. Compared to Shingrix, the effectiveness of Zostavax decreases in older age groups. Based on the SPS results, Zostavax is 64% effective in adults aged 60 to 69 years old 41% effective in adults aged 70 to 79 years old and 18% effective in adults aged 80 years and older.
Your healthcare provider will most likely recommend Shingrix over Zostavax. Shingrix is especially recommended for immunocompromised patients since it is a non-live vaccine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about which shingles vaccine is right for you.
How Are Cvs Pharmacy And Minuteclinic Different
At Pharmacy, vaccinations for adolescents through seniors are administered by a certified immunizing pharmacist. Age and state restrictions apply. No appointment necessary.
At MinuteClinic, vaccinations for children through seniors are administered by a medical provider. View wait times and schedule a visit online, or walk-in anytime.
CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic also at Target
People Who Are Eligible For The Vaccine
From Autumn 2021, your GP will offer you the vaccine if you were aged 70 on 1 September 2021 and were born:
- between 2 September 1950 and 1 September 1951
You are still eligible for the vaccine during 2021/ 2022 if you haven’t already received the vaccine and:
- are currently aged between 71 and 79
- were born between 2 September 1941 and 1 September 1950
If you fall into the group above you need to ask your GP for the vaccine.
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What If Im Not Sure If Ive Had Chickenpox
First, know that almost everyone born before 1980 tests positive for exposure to Varicella zoster, the virus that causes chickenpox and reactivates later to cause shingles. All published recommendations suggest that whether you remember having chickenpox or not, you should receive the Shingles vaccine, either Zostavax or Shingrix.
Are Side Effects Of Shingrix And Zostavax Different
There is where the issue arises. Yes, the side effects are quite a bit different, and Ive been seeing this in my patients who get Shingrix.
These are adverse reactions of Zostavax :
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Pain at injection site
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Redness at injection site
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Swelling at injection site , localized tenderness , itching at injection site
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Other uncommon side effects
These are adverse reactions of Shingrix :
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Fatigue
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Headache
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Shivering
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Gastrointestinal adverse effects
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Pain at injection site
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Swelling at injection site
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Muscle aches/Myalgia
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Fever
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Other uncommon side effects
To sum it up, is a much better vaccine than , but with a twist. That twist? Shingrix has many more adverse reactions. This means we need to keep an eye on this vaccine because it is still new. If you get Shingrix, stay alert to any adverse effects you may feel a 500 mg after the shot has helped for some of my patients.
Dr. O
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How Well Does Shingrix Work
Two doses of Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia , the most common complication of shingles.
- In adults 50 to 69 years old who got two doses, Shingrix was 97% effective in preventing shingles among adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective.
- In adults 50 to 69 years old who got two doses, Shingrix was 91% effective in preventing PHN among adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 89% effective.
Shingrix protection remained high in people 70 years and older throughout the four years following vaccination. Since your risk of shingles and PHN increases as you get older, it is important to have strong protection against shingles in your older years.
Is The Shingles Vaccine Safe
As with any vaccine, its possible to have some side effects after receiving it. In clinical studies, the side effects linked to this vaccine usually lasted only 2 to 3 days, and the most common ones were:
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Pain and redness at the injection site
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Muscle pain
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Fatigue
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Headache
Most people report at least some arm pain after the injection. Some people reported that their side effects kept them from doing their usual daily activities. For this reason, its a good idea to plan to not do anything right after receiving your injection, just in case.
Severe allergic reaction to this vaccine is very rare. Symptoms of such a reaction include:
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Hives
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Swelling of the face or throat
If you notice these symptoms in the hours after your vaccination, get medical help immediately.
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Can I Receive Shingrix If I Have Shingles Or If I Had Shingles In The Past
The CDC doesnt recommend the Shingrix vaccine for people who currently have shingles. Its best to wait until your shingle rashes have gone away before you receive Shingrix.
But if youre age 50 years or older and have had shingles in the past, you can take Shingrix. It may help prevent future shingles infections.
Glaxosmithkline Debuts Dtc Campaign For Shingrix Amid Covid
GlaxoSmithKline has officially launched its first DTC campaign for shingles vaccine Shingrix. Its pitch? No matter how healthy or active older adults may be, the varicella-zoster virus doesn’t care.
The reality-check message comes as GSK supplies of the vaccine are plentiful for the first time since its 2017 launch. GSK once struggled to make enough Shingrix to handle exploding demand, but thanks to the the COVID-19 pandemic, adult vaccinations dropped and supplies rebounded.
The DTC campaign Shingles Doesn’t Care” is targeted at people aged 50 and older. One in three people in that demographic will get the painful itchy rashtypically caused when the varicella virus, which also causes chickenpox, reactivates years laterduring their lifetimes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Shingrix sales plummeted by half in the second quarter of 2020 compared with the first. GSK said during a July investor call that lockdown measures cut doctor visits and dropped vaccination rates, particularly in the U.S. GSKs overall vaccine business saw a year-over-year decline of 29%.
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Where Can I Get Vaccinated
The best place to go for vaccinations is your family medical clinic. They have your medical records and can check to see if youve already had a particular vaccination. Either your doctor or a nurse can give the vaccination.If you dont have a family doctor, you can go to one of the after-hour medical clinics. Phone them first to make sure they can help you with the vaccination you need.You can find a clinic near you on the Healthpoint website. Put in your address and region, and under Select a service, click on GPs/Accident & Urgent Medical Care.Vaccines on the National Immunisation Schedule are free. Other vaccines are funded only for people at particular risk of disease. You can choose to pay for vaccines that you are not eligible to receive for free.
Who Should Not Get Shingrix
You should not get Shingrix if you:
- have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine or after a dose of Shingrix
- tested negative for immunity to varicella zoster virus. If you test negative, you should get chickenpox vaccine.
- currently have shingles
- currently are pregnant or breastfeeding. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should wait to get Shingrix.
If you have a minor acute illness, such as a cold, you may get Shingrix. But if you have a moderate or severe acute illness, you should usually wait until you recover before getting the vaccine. This includes anyone with a temperature of 101.3°F or higher.
The side effects of the Shingrix are temporary, and usually last 2 to 3 days. While you may experience pain for a few days after getting Shingrix, the pain will be less severe than having shingles and the complications from the disease.
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Available Vaccines And Vaccination Campaigns
Since 2008, the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended that most Americans aged 60 and older get the shingles vaccine. A newer recommendation was issued in 2018 with the licensure of a new vaccine: now most Americans age 50 and older are recommended to get Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted .
In adults 50-69 years old, Shingrix reduces risk of shingles by more than 96%. For those 70 and older, the vaccine is 91.3% effective at preventing shingles. It very similarly reduces the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia. Modeling studies project that protection will wane to 0 by 19 years after immunization. Study of the expected duration of protection is ongoing.
The antigen in Shingrix is a surface protein of the varicella zoster virus produced by culturing genetically engineered Chinese hamster ovary cells. Vaccination consists of two doses of vaccine, given at months 0 and 2-6.
The older shingles vaccine is a live, attenuated vaccine. It was licensed in 2006. The generic name of the vaccine is Zoster Vaccine, Live . It is still available, although Shingrix is recommended over Zostavax because of its superior effectiveness and duration of protection.
People who have previously been vaccinated with Zostavax are recommended to vaccinate with Shingrix.
Who Should Not Get Vaccinated
According to the CDC, some people should not be given the shingles vaccine, including those who:
- Have had allergic reactions to the vaccine
- Tested negative for varicella-zoster virus immunity
- Currently have shingles
- Have a severe or moderate illness that is considered acute, such as a respiratory infection
- Have a temperature of 101.3 degrees F or higher
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Can I Get Shingrix If Ive Never Had Chickenpox
If youve never had chickenpox , the CDC recommends that you get the chickenpox vaccine instead of Shingrix. Researchers havent studied Shingrix in people who have never had chickenpox. Shingrix is not approved for preventing chickenpox.
If youre age 50 or older and cant recall whether or not youve had chickenpox, you dont need to be screened for it. Its assumed that people born in the United States and elsewhere before 1980 have been exposed to chickenpox. Therefore, you may be able to receive Shingrix. You should check with your doctor first to make sure.
What Everyone Should Know About The Shingles Vaccine
Shingles vaccination is the only way to protect against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia , the most common complication from shingles. CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine called Shingrix , separated by 2 to 6 months, to prevent shingles and the complications from the disease. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you Shingrix as a shot in your upper arm.
Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and PHN. Two doses of Shingrix is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and PHN. Protection stays above 85% for at least the first four years after you get vaccinated.
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Is What My Internist Said Correct Should I Get The Shingles Vaccine And If So How Long Is The Vaccine Good For
No, you still need the vaccine, especially if they didnt prove it was shingles. Most people have no side effects from the shot, so unless you have another medical condition that compromises your immune system or have had a bad reaction in the past, there is no reason the side effects should scare you off. You should get the vaccine, definitely, if you are over 60.
Since the shingles vaccine is relatively new, how long the vaccine lasts is a question that’s still being studied. At this point we know the vaccine provides 5 years of protection at the very least, but it’s possible that you would only need to get it once in your life . By the time you would need a follow-up shot, the research will be much further along!
Shingrix For Prevention Of Shingles
Shingrix is a vaccine thats used to prevent shingles in adults ages 50 and older. Its not approved for use in adults younger than 50. Also, its not meant for use in preventing chickenpox .
Effectiveness for prevention of shingles
Shingrix has been found to be effective in helping to prevent shingles. For details on how the drug performed in clinical studies, see Shingrixs prescribing information.
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Drug Forms And Administration
Shingrix is given as an injection into the muscle , typically in your upper arm. Youll receive two separate doses of the vaccine. After you receive the first dose, you can get the second dose two to six months later. A healthcare provider will give you the injections in your doctors office.
Zostavax is also given as an intramuscular injection, but it only requires one dose. A healthcare provider will give you the injection in your arm in your doctors office.
Who Should Get Zostavax
People 60 years of age or older should get shingles vaccine . They should get the vaccine whether or not they recall having had chickenpox, which is caused by the same virus as shingles. Studies show that more than 99% of Americans aged 40 and older have had chickenpox, even if they dont remember getting the disease. There is no maximum age for getting shingles vaccine.
Two vaccines are licensed and recommended to prevent shingles in the U.S.. Zoster vaccine live has been in use since 2006. Recombinant zoster vaccine , has been in use since 2017 and is recommended by ACIP as the preferred shingles vaccine.
Even if you have had shingles, you can still receive shingles vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease. There is no specific length of time you must wait after having shingles before receiving shingles vaccine, but generally you should make sure the shingles rash has disappeared before getting vaccinated. The decision on when to get vaccinated should be made with your healthcare provider.
Talk with your healthcare provider if you have questions about shingles vaccine. Shingles vaccine is available in doctors offices and pharmacies. To find doctors offices or pharmacies near you that offer the vaccine, visit Zostavaxexternal icon or HealthMap Vaccine Finderexternal icon.
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Side Effects Of Getting The Vaccine
Like all vaccines, the shingles vaccines can cause side effects, but they’re generally mild and do not last long.
Common side effects that occur in at least one in 10 people are:
- redness, pain, swelling, itching at the injection site
- fatigue
If the side effects continue for more than a few days, contact your GP or practice nurse.
Tell your GP if you develop a rash after having the shingles vaccination.
Who Should Not Get Vaccinated Or Should Wait
- Patients with a history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine or after a previous dose of Shingrix
- Patients who tested negative for immunity to varicella zoster virus. If you test negative, you should get the chickenpox vaccine.
- Patients who currently have shingles
- Patients who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should wait to get Shingrix.
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Know Your Shingles Risk
You can get shingles at any age if youve had chickenpox.
But older adults and those who are immunocompromised get it most often. Two-thirds of shingles cases in Canada happen to people over 50 years old. The severity of shingles and its complications also increase with age.
Age is the most important risk factor.
Side Effects Of The Shingles Vaccine: Is It Safe
Shingles is a painful rash caused by varicella zoster, the same virus responsible for chickenpox.
If you had chickenpox as a child, the virus hasnt completely gone away. It hides dormant in your body and can reemerge many years later as shingles.
About 1 in 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. This is why vaccination is important. But you should also be prepared for possible side effects. In this article, well discuss the side effects, and talk about who should get the vaccine.
Older adults are most likely to develop shingles. This is why the shingles vaccine is recommended for people ages 50 and older.
Shingrix is the only shingles vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .
The Shingrix vaccine is a recombinant vaccine. This means vaccine manufacturers created it by altering and purifying DNA that creates an immune response to fight the virus.
The CDC recommends Shingrix for the prevention of shingles and related complications. The Shingrix vaccine is also recommended for anyone who has already gotten another type of shingles vaccine.
Currently, the CDC recommends healthy people ages 50 and older get the Shingrix vaccine. Doctors administer the vaccine in two doses, which are given 2 to 6 months apart.
The Shingrix vaccine has high success rates in protecting people against shingles.
The Shingrix vaccine is as much as effective in preventing shingles. The same is true for Shingrix and postherpetic neuralgia.
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Is There Anyone Who Should Not Get The Shingles Vaccine
The shingles vaccine is a live virus and, therefore, should not be given to anyone with a weakened immune system. This includes individuals who are being treated with radiation or chemotherapy or who are on steroid medications. The vaccine also should not be given to anyone who has had a life-threatening reaction to the ingredients in the vaccine, so talk to your doctor about your specific health situation.