I just read an illuminating article in the NY Times regarding Shingrix, the recently FDA approved vaccine by Glaxo Smith Kline. Apparently all healthy adults over the age of 50 are heavily encouraged to get vaccinated. Does anyone know if this vaccine available in Switzerland? I read that the EU and Japan just approved it last month.
According to the article, 1 in 3 over the age of 50 will develop shingles in their lifetime. Interesting in that the article also states that experts estimate 99% of the population have had chicken pox whether they remember it or not. Better to be safe than sorry in my view; I have heard that Shingles is painful and nasty!
I will get vaccinated while in the US this summer. Apparently, drug stores/chemists such as Walgreen's will be able to administer the vaccine as long as one has a prescription from one's doctor/GP. The cost is not too bad either: USD 280 (without insurance).
Shingles is indeed a very nasty and painful illness, which can also lead to depression. However, if one has not had chicken pox, you are not likely to go down with it.
I asked my doctor a few years back if I should be vaccinated against the illness, (I have not had Chicken Pox), and he advised against it.
Even if you "think" you have never had chicken pox, you probably have been exposed to it. From what I have read, when even exposed to the virus, it lies dormant in one's system and can arise during times of stress or when one's immune system is compromised/suppressed.
I hate taking meds and rarely go to the doctor, but I have seen family/friends who have contracted Shingles and there is no way I ever want to get this condition. It is THAT painful apparently.
So I went to my local drug store and paid USD 150 for the shot and will get the required second shot when I return to the US in December (another USD 150 out of pocket). Here is a link to the CDC website:
I think it depends on which illness "going down with it" is being discussed.
If you've had chicken pox, it may not be a bad idea to have the shingles vaccine. There's no guarantee you'll develop shingles even if you've had chicken pox though, so it's up to each person to decide if they think the vaccine is worthwhile.
If you've NOT had chicken pox, then you don't need a shingles vaccine. You won't get shingles until after you've had chicken pox (if ever). You may want to consider the chicken pox vaccine, though.
Mrs and I had our shingles vaccine (something other than Shingrix) this week. The Mrs who had thought she had never had Chicken Pox apparently had the antibodies. I had it when I was 4 or 5.
Not 100% certain that we won't get shingles but, too us, it is a worthwhile investment. Fairly certain the insurance will cover their share of the costs.
My two rappen: shingles is vile and debilitating. My mum.is late 60s and recently had it. Made her very poorly. If in any doubt whether you've had chicken pox, go to your doc for a test. Then vaxx accordingly.
So if you have a chicken pox vax when you're a nipper, does that then automatically protect you from shingles later in life? Too late for us because it did the rounds and we've all had it. Just curious, though.
I had it on my back it's nasty, unfortunately being freelance at the time had to carry on working. Everyone had already had chickenpox so were not worried.
Near the eye would be very frightening, pleased it did not spread.
If you've been vaccinated and are exposed to chicken pox or shingles later in life you probably won't get chicken pox. Therefore you also probably won't get shingles.
If they’d already had chicken pox then they had already been exposed to the virus and were unlikely to get chicken pox again.
You can get chicken pox from somebody who has shingles but you can’t catch shingles itself.
There is some debate about whether the chicken pox vaccine provides protection from shingles. I don’t think there is enough data yet to give a definitive answer so it’s probably safer to get the shingles vaccine anyway if you’re worried about it.
Until I'd read this thread, I didn't know it was common at all. The only person I know who has had shingles was an elderly lady who lived next to my grandparents, but that was back in the late 80s when I was off school, covered in chicken pox and not allowed to go near anyone "frail".