Shingles vaccine - The Wells Clinic | Private GP Clinic

Overview

Shingles can be very painful and uncomfortable. It is caused by the herpes zoster virus which causes an infection along a nerve. It is the same virus which causes chickenpox. Some people are left with pain lasting for years after the initial rash has healed. Shingles is fatal for around 1 in 1,000 people who are over-70 year old who develop it.

Symptoms

More about Shingles

There is a vaccine available to people over the age of 50 years.

Studies have shown that those who have the vaccine have a significantly reduced chance of developing the illness and those who do develop the illness have a significant reduction in chronic nerve pain as a result of the illness.

There is currently no proven efficacy in people who have recurrent shingles and is, therefore, a treatment primarily for those who have never had the illness. However, if a person who has had the shingles illness previously would like to proceed with having the vaccine there should be a gap of at least 1 year between the vaccine being given and the last illness.

It will be down to the discretion of the clinician as to whether you are suitable medically for the vaccine- those who have a weakened immune system may be at a higher risk of side effects/complications from the vaccine.

Fees