Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox.
After recovering from chickenpox, the virus remains latent in the nervous system and can reactivate later in life.
The Shingrix vaccine is a recombinant adjuvanted vaccine, which means it uses part of the virus (specifically, the glycoprotein E) to induce an immune response without using live virus, minimizing the risk of infection.
The CDC recommends that adults aged 50 and older receive two doses of the Shingrix vaccine, with the doses spaced 2 to 6 months apart for optimal protection against shingles and its complications.
Shingrix is 90% effective in preventing shingles and over 85% effective in preventing postherpetic neuralgia, a severe pain that can linger long after the shingles rash has healed.
Many people are unaware that Medicare Part D often covers the cost of Shingrix, leading to negligible out-of-pocket expenses for eligible individuals.
Some reports indicate that only about 33% of eligible adults have received the Shingrix vaccine, highlighting a significant gap in vaccination rates despite recommendations.
The Shingrix vaccine has a safety profile supported by clinical trials that included over 38,000 participants, showing that it is generally well tolerated, although some may experience pain at the injection site, fatigue, or mild fever.
Walgreens pharmacies offer a convenient option for vaccination, as many locations have healthcare professionals trained to administer vaccines, but it's advisable to check vaccine availability at specific stores beforehand.
Research suggests that vaccination with Shingrix can help boost immunity not just against shingles but also other age-related immune deficiencies, potentially enhancing overall health in older adults.
The vaccine is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, nor for individuals with a known allergic reaction to any component of Shingrix; safety assessments should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) provided guidance on the use of Shingrix, emphasizing its role in preventing shingles in both immunocompetent adults and those with weakened immune systems.
Once contracted, shingles can lead to severe complications, including chronic pain known as postherpetic neuralgia, affecting quality of life significantly and making vaccination an important preventive measure.
Studies have shown that the number of shingles cases has been rising, with rates doubling over the last few decades, which points to the importance of vaccination as a public health strategy.
Shingrix, introduced in 2017, has become the preferred vaccine for shingles prevention, replacing the older Zostavax vaccine, which was less effective and had different dosing requirements.
Outbreaks of shingles can occur in clusters, particularly in communities with lower vaccine uptake, indicating herd immunity's important role in controlling the disease's spread.
The immune response stimulated by Shingrix appears to be long-lasting, with protection reported to last for at least 4 years, although ongoing studies will determine the full duration.
Injectable vaccines, like Shingrix, are often designed based on principles of immunology, where the body is trained to recognize pathogens and mount a rapid immune response upon subsequent exposures.
Pharmacists play a crucial role in public health by administering vaccines like Shingrix, an expansion of their professional responsibilities that helps alleviate barriers to vaccination access.
The production of adjuvanted vaccines like Shingrix involves sophisticated biotechnology, utilizing specific genes to produce virus-like particles that provoke a robust immune response without the risks associated with traditional vaccines.
Innovative vaccine delivery methods, such as microneedle patches, are under research, aiming to improve the convenience and comfort of vaccination while potentially increasing immunization rates for vaccines like Shingrix.