Shingles Vaccine May Soon Be Routine at Age 60 in U.S.

November 1st, 2006

The Center for Disease Control voted in October to make vaccination with the FDA-approved Zostavax shingles vaccine routine for all Americans 60 and older.

The older generation did not have the benefit of the chicken pox vaccine, now available to children and teens or older persons who never had the viral disease. Chicken pox was once a common disease of childhood.

Shingles will afflict about 20% of people who had chicken pox. For those who live to be 85, their chance of getting shingles rises to 50%.

A major clinical trial indicated that Merck’s Zostavax vaccine is more than 60% effective in minimizing shingles symptoms. It reduces painful PHN by 60% or more.

Shingles is caused by a herpes-type virus that remains dormant in the nerves until the individual’s immune system is suppressed due to aging, disease or immunity-suppressing drugs. An outbreak appears as clusters of red blisters above an underlying nerve path. It can vary considerably in size, severity, and length of time before it heals.

In about 30% of cases, shingles turns into an excruciatingly painful disease called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). A smaller number get a painful disease called ophthalmic zoster which can cause blindness in one or both eyes. The worst part is not going blind, but the accompanying all-consuming pain experienced every moment without relief for years.

The patient’s and family’s lives are profoundly affected by this horrible affliction.
Severe cases of PHN pain can cause some to commit suicide to escape the unremitting pain.

Everyone 60 and over should welcome the opportunity to get the vaccination.
Medicare and Medicaid Part D are expected to cover the cost of the vaccination.

Source:  WebMD

Entry Filed under: Chronic Pain,CHRONIC PAIN,General,SENIORS HEALTH