So you may have a few questions on your mind when it comes to shingles: Is shingles vaccine the only option I have? I’ve already had shingles; do I need to take the vaccine so I don’t get it again?
If you’re looking to get the shingles vaccine today, a distinguished pharmacy in Glendale, California gives you two options: the Shingrix, which was approved by the FDA in 2017 and is the preferred alternative to Zostavax, and Zostavax, which was given the stamp of approval back in 2006.
Here’s what you need to know about Shingrix and Zostavax:
- Approved for adults 50 years and older to prevent shingles and related complications regardless of whether the person has had shingles or not.
- You can still get the Shingrix vaccine even if you’ve had shingles in the past.
- If you’ve already had the Zostavax vaccine or are not aware if you’ve had chickenpox, then consider going for the Shingrix vaccine.
- Zostavax is usually administered as a single injection in the upper arm area.
- Shingrix is a non-living vaccine given in two doses, two to six months apart.
The Side Effects of Shingles Vaccine
Some people have reported redness, pain, tenderness, itching, and swelling in the area where the shingles vaccine was injected into. Few of them found a rash similar to chickenpox forming after getting the injection. Vaccination doesn’t guarantee complete immunity from the shingles virus, but it will significantly reduce its duration and severity.
Why It’s Important to Talk to Your Physician
If you happen to be in the following situations, it’s all the more important to talk to your doctor before getting the shingles vaccine:
- Have an allergic reaction to gelatin or any component of the shingles vaccine
- Have an immune system weakened by HIV or another serious illness
- Have lymphoma or leukemia
- Are taking drugs or undergoing treatments that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy
- Are pregnant or trying to have a baby
Why Choose Zostavax?
Upon administration of this vaccine, you can be protected from shingles for up to half a decade. While approved for individuals aged 50 and above, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly advise that Zostavax be given at the age when the risk of shingles and related complications is at its highest point, which will be 60.
Zostavax helps your immune system safeguard you from Shingles, but it does not treat the nerve pain that follows.
So, should you or should you not get the Shingles vaccine? If you do decide to get it, where should you get from? Discussing these matters with experts, like providers of pharmacy services and medical supplies in California should help your cause. Arianna Medical Pharmacy provides all the necessary information related to it so you can make the best possible decision.
What else do we need to know about the Shingles vaccine? You’re welcome to write your insights in the comment section.