Why You Shouldn't Wait to Get a Shingles Vaccine

If you are over the age of 50 and have not had the shingles vaccine, you are going to want to rethink that choice.

Caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, there is far more to shingles than annoying itchy bumps that most of us associate with the once common childhood condition. Even if you had a mild case of chickenpox, you are still at risk. The virus can lay dormant in your body for decades before being reactivated in the much more painful and distressing form with symptoms that can last for weeks or even months. However, thanks to a widely available two-dose vaccine, you can reduce your risk of experiencing shingles by more than 90% and enjoy a high degree of protection for four years. 

Still not convinced? Here is what you may be facing if take a pass on the vaccine:

Intense pain and rash: The first sign of shingles is typically a painful, burning, or tingling sensation on one side of your face, chest, back, or waist. Many people often experience flu-like symptoms including a fever, chills, headache, and fatigue. A few days after these symptoms appear, you may notice a painful rash wherever the initial pain was experienced. The rash is often described as itchy, stabbing, sensitive to touch, and may include fluid-filled blisters that break easily. Once broken, blisters may develop a crust or scab that fall off. Many female patients have compared the pain from this rash to childbirth.

A shingles rash may persist for anywhere from two to four weeks, but in some cases, the lingering—and often intense—pain can last for years.

Vision issues: If the shingles virus affects the areas in or around your eye, your vision could be compromised. In addition to pain, swelling, redness, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light, shingles can damage the surface of your eye as well as cause nerve damage. In some cases, long-term blindness and permanent scarring may occur.

Life-altering complications of infection: If the shingles rash becomes infected with bacteria, it can lead to serious complications including permanent hearing loss, pneumonia, and inflammation of the brain. In rare cases, it can be fatal.

Increased risk of heart disease: A recent study found that individuals who’ve had shingles have a higher long-term risk of developing major cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and stroke, than individuals who never had shingles. More specifically, the study found that adults who had shingles have an almost 30% higher long-term risk of a major cardiovascular event and that risk may last for 12 years or longer. Adults whose immune system may be weakened by disease or medication were found to be at greatest risk.

Risk of recurrence: Unlike the one-and-done nature of chickenpox, you can get shingles again. Research suggests that your risk of getting shingles a second time is about the same as the risk you had of getting shingles the first time. People tend to experience the same symptoms in the same areas of the body but in 45% of cases, the outbreak may appear in a different location.

Protecting yourself against shingles is as easy as getting a vaccine. Offered on a walk-in basis at most pharmacies, the latest vaccine, which is administered in two doses over two to six months, is 97% effective in preventing shingles in those 50 and older and 90% effective for those 70 and older. The cost may be covered in part or in full by your insurance, Medicare Part D, or Medicaid (coverage varies by state).

If you have questions or concerns about the shingles vaccine, talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider.

Nicholas Wild, MD practices family medicine at SVHC’s Northshire Campus in Manchester, VT.