Shingles Vaccine Information

What is Shingles?

Shingles is a painful skin rash, often with blisters.  It is also called Herpes Zoster.

A shingles rash usually appears on one side of the face or body and lasts a week to 10 days.  Its main symptom is pain, which can be quite severe.  Other symptoms of shingles can include fever, headache, chills and upset stomach.  Very rarely a shingles infection can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation (encephalitis) or death. 

Shingles Vaccine

A vaccine for shingles was licensed in 2006.  In clinical trials, the vaccine prevented shingles in about half of people 60 years of age and older.  It can also reduce the pain associated with shingles.

 

Some people should not get shingles vaccine or should wait

A person should not get shingles vaccine who:

Has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to

gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or any other component of

shingles vaccine

Has a weakened immune system because of:

HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system

Treatment with drugs that affect the immune system (ex:  Steroids)

Cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy

History of cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, such  as leukemia or lymphoma.

Has active, untreated tuberculosis 

For More information about this vaccination, please call the Allen County Health Department at 1-270-237-4423.