What is shingles?
Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox – the herpes-zoster virus. Once you have the virus, it remains in your body, and can become active again in later life where it develops into shingles.
Of the 95% of adults who’ve had chickenpox, around a quarter will go on to develop shingles* – and it’s more likely to happen as you get older. It can be reactivated when your immune system weakens due to increasing age, stress, or certain conditions and treatments e.g. cancer or HIV.
Shingles can be very painful and the older you are, the worse it can be. Although most people fully recover from shingles, some can be left with long-term nerve pain that continues for months or even years after the blisters and rash have healed – this is called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). The older you are, the higher the chance of developing PHN as a result of shingles.
Why get a shingles vaccination?
The vaccine not only helps reduce your risk of developing shingles, but can lessen the severity and duration of any symptoms if you do, as well as cutting your risk of developing PHN.
The shingles vaccine currently available in Ireland is a recombinant vaccine called Shingrix, which is given as two doses, two to six months apart. You may get your second dose sooner if you have a weakened immune system.
Research shows that the Shingrix vaccine works extremely well to prevent shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). In adults:
- Ages 50 to 69: Shingrix is 97% effective at preventing shingles and 91% at preventing PHN.
- Ages 70 and older: Shingrix is 91% effective at preventing shingles and 89% at preventing PHN.
- Ages 19 and older with weakened immune systems: Shingrix is 68% to 91% effective at preventing shingles, depending on your overall health and underlying conditions.
Research shows that in people with healthy immune systems, the Shingrix vaccine provides protection for at least seven years. There’s not currently a booster shot for shingles vaccination.
How can I access the vaccination service?
To avail of the vaccination service, simply call us on +353 (56) 7721033 or call into us in our Rose Inn Street shop here and discuss it with one of our pharmacists. We are happy to vaccinate you at a time and day that is convenient for you.
What does the vaccine cost?
The cost of the TWO dose Shingles Vaccination Service is €485 (€242.50 per vaccination dose).
The second dose is usually given two months after the first dose.
What are the symptoms of shingles?
Generally, symptoms range from mild to severe. Shingles starts with some initial pain and tingling, before developing into a rash with blisters that can be itchy, painful and last for about 2-4 weeks. The rash usually only affects the upper body on one side, but can also develop on the head, neck and around the eyes.
Who’s at risk from shingles?
Anyone who’s had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles, as the virus remains in certain nerves of the body and can become active again as time goes on. You may be at greater risk if you:
• Have a weakened immune system
• Are aged over 50
• Have become ill
• Are under significant stress
Who is the shingles vaccination suitable for?
Shingrix can both be given to people aged 50 or over and also to people aged 18 to 49 years who are at increased risk of getting shingles. You can get the vaccination year-round. If you’ve had shingles before, you can still have the vaccination provided it’s been over one year since you have had shingles.
It is recommended to leave a gap of at least seven days between getting the COVID-19 vaccination and a shingles vaccination.
Who should NOT get the shingles vaccine?
The shingles vaccine is not recommended if pregnant. If breastfeeding talk to your doctor to check if getting the vaccine at this time.
You shouldn’t get the shingles vaccine if you have a history of severe allergic reaction to any of the shingles vaccine components.
If you have thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder, talk to your pharmacist as you may not be eligible to get the vaccination in the pharmacy.
If you’re in any doubt, talk to your pharmacist, who can give you more information about the vaccination and advise whether it’s suitable for you.
Side-effects
Occasionally, people develop side-effects after a shingles vaccination but most usually aren’t serious and go away in a few days. See below for the side-effects that can be experienced with each of the shingles vaccines:
• Very common: headache, stomach and digestive complaints (including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and/or stomach pain), muscle pain (myalgia), pain, redness and swelling where the injection is given, feeling tired, chills, fever
• Common: itching where the injection is given (pruritus), generally feeling unwell
• Uncommon: swollen glands in the neck, armpit or groin, joint pain
Additional information
It’s important you remain in the shop for 15 minutes after your vaccination, in case you experience any immediate side-effects.
Sometimes, a severe allergic reaction can occur. Signs include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness and weakness. If this happens, we have procedures in place to deal with this condition.
If you develop a chickenpox-like rash after being vaccinated, you should avoid direct contact with people who haven’t had it until your rash is dry and crusted, e.g. infants.