The CDC is recommending that people 60 and over get the Shingles vaccine. Recent studies show that it is most effective for people 60-69 and nearly as good for 70 and up. People over 60 are 7 times as likely to get shingles than younger adults.
Shingles (herpes zoster) is a potentially debilitating illness that starts with a skin rash, and usually blisters, and involves mild to severe tingling, burning, itching, or shooting pain. It is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox in children and remains dormant in the body until it suddenly reappears in later years as Shingles. If you have had chicken pox, you really need to protect yourself with the vaccine, but it is safe to take even if you don't remember whether or not you had the disease as a child.
The major problem with Shingles comes from the continuing pain long after the outbreak, severe pain. While the pain for some people can go away in 12-19 months, for others, it continues indefinitely. An article on WedMD talks about the pain, postherpetic neuralgia or PHN .http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/news/20050725/best-treatments-for-lasting-shingles-pain It discusses what treatments work for the pain and what doesn’t.
NOTE: You can take the vaccine if you have already had Shingles to help prevent further outbreaks.
The FDA approved Zostavax, the first Shingles vaccine, in May 2006. That October, the CDC recommended that it be a routine vaccine for people over 60, just like the flu shot or the pneumonia shot. Unfortunately for some, the cost, $150, is prohibitive.
If you have Medicare Part D, the shot is covered as a prescription, and your co-pay will vary depending on your particular plan. If you are only on Medicare Part B, it will not be covered. In this case, you will need to contact your secondary or supplemental plan to see if they will cover the cost.
But if you are over 60, you really need to weigh the benefits, no matter what the cost. Contact your doctor to see if your age, medical conditions and history put you at risk. (if a blood relative has had Shingles, your risk is increased.) The vaccine is well worth your consideration.
Take Care,
Kathy
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