Is The Zostavax Shingles Vaccine Right For Your Circumstances?
As we get older and our immune systems weaken, the possibility of developing a hideous and painful rash known as shingles drastically increases. In fact, it’s estimated that adults who’ve had chickenpox in the past have a 1 in 10 chance of coming down with this disease. The portent is even worse for adults who haven’t had chickenpox, as they may develop severe reactions like brain swelling, hearing loss, blindness, facial paralysis and chronic pain disorders. The best way to prevent this painful malady is to get the Zostavax shingles vaccine starting at age 60, which will reduce the risk by 50-60%.
Zostavax was licensed in 2006 and has undergone trials involving in excess of 20,000 people to date. Just one dose given by inoculation into the upper arm was determined to lessen the risk of shingles by half as well as the possibility of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) by about two-thirds. The few individuals who contracted shingles in spite of the vaccine normally suffered less pain and required fewer drugs than people who were not inoculated.
The vaccine is considered to be extremely safe. Really the only significant hazard linked to it is for individuals who have an allergy to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin. About one-third of patients report soreness, swelling or redness at the injection site. One in seventy individuals say they developed a headache immediately after their vaccination.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the shingles vaccine to nearly all people who are over 60 years of age. However, there are certain categories of people who should not be vaccinated. For instance, people who have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin or another component of the vaccine should avoid Zostavax. Other poor candidates include people with HIV, AIDS, lymphoma, leukemia and untreated/active tuberculosis. Patients who are taking steroids, Humira, Remicade, Enbrel, radiation or chemotherapy should also decline. Pregnant women and those who are trying to conceive should avoid the vaccine. Women who are vaccinated should then wait at least four weeks before trying to conceive a child.
Some patients wonder how they will pay for the shingles vaccine. All Medicare Part D plans cover the herpes zoster vaccine, whereas Medicare Part B plans do not. Private insurance carriers and Medicaid may or may not cover the vaccine, depending on your plan. There have been many reports of insurance companies refusing to cover the $200 vaccine. Dr. Jon Hallberg explains on Minnesota Public Radio: “I think insurance plans are simply thinking that, ‘Look, if it’s only 60 percent effective, this may not be worth us covering for all of our patients over the age of 60.’”
Shingles is a very painful medical condition, and there is a lot of information that is not known about this disease. If you need help understanding what this disease is and how to get effective treatment for shingles pain, visit the Shingles Disease site for answers to your questions.
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