Shingles Vaccine

What is shingles?

Shingles is a viral disease that causes a painful rash.
It is caused by the same virus as chickenpox – the herpes-zoster virus.
Once you have had the chickenpox virus it remains dormant in your body and at a later stage in your life it can become active again leading to develop shingles.
According to the CDC figures only a ¼ of those whom have had chicken pox will develop shingles. Incidence increase as one gets older.
Also it can be reactivated if you have a weakened immune system.
For some people who get shingles the rash can lead to longer term nerve pain – known as post herpetic neuralgia (PHN)

Why get the Shingles Vaccine?

The vaccine helps to reduce your risk of developing shingles.
It can also lessen the your risk of developing PHN.
There is now only one shingles vaccines available in Ireland currently – this is a recombinant vaccine called Shingrix (given as a two dose).

For Further information and to assess your eligibility please discuss with your doctor/ nurse here a Midleton Medi Centre

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