Many individuals have vivid memories of chickenpox, a childhood illness characterized by an itchy red rash. While chickenpox is typically a mild condition, some individuals may encounter complications and severe symptoms. Interestingly, the varicella-zoster virus responsible for causing chickenpox remains latent within nerve cells. However, later in life, this virus can reactivate and lead to the development of shingles, medically known as herpes zoster. Shockingly, nearly one-third of adults experience shingles at some point. Nevertheless, the risk of contracting this illness can be significantly reduced through the administration of a shingles vaccine.
Candidates Eligible for Shingles Vaccination
Protecting yourself against shingles and its potential complications is crucial, and the most effective method is through vaccination. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals who are 50 years old and above should consider getting a shingles vaccine. Additionally, adults aged 19 or older with weakened immune systems should also be vaccinated.
It is worth noting that shingles can recur, even if you have experienced an outbreak before. Hence, it is still advisable to receive the vaccine to further safeguard yourself from future episodes.
Vaccine Effectiveness
The effectiveness of vaccines can vary, but the shingles vaccine has shown to be highly effective in preventing the disease. For individuals between the ages of 50 to 69 years, the shingles vaccine is approximately 95% effective. In those aged 70 or older, its effectiveness increases to 97%. Furthermore, studies suggest that shingles vaccines are between 68% and 91% effective for individuals with compromised immune systems.