![]() Almost all adults older than 40 carry the chickenpox virus-and the older we get, the more the risk of getting shingles climbs. Shingles, which is also called herpes zoster, occurs when the chickenpox virus (varicella zoster), which is dormant in those who've had the illness, reawakens later in life. Here's what you need to know about the new vaccine and the new recommendations:ĭid we need a new shingles vaccine? To answer that question, it helps to have a bit of background on this infection. Consumers should talk with their healthcare providers or pharmacists about each vaccine's profile (ie, single dose versus two doses) and make the decision on which vaccine may be best for them." ![]() Zostavax maker Merck, meanwhile, says in a statement that "we believe that a single shot of Zostavax will continue to play an important role in vaccination to help prevent shingles. Lipman, M.D., Consumer Reports' chief medical adviser, notes, "Shingrix should replace Zostavax because the benefit/risk ratio, at the present time, strongly favors Shingrix." "The body responds to Shingrix much more strongly, compared to Zostavax." "This looks to be a vaccine that will provide substantially long, persistent protection," says William Schaffner, M.D., a consultant to the ACIP and a professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tenn. Those who've had shingles, which occasionally recurs, should also receive Shingrix. The CDC also recommends that people who have already gotten Zostavax should now get Shingrix as well and that Shingrix is officially the preferred vaccine over Zostavax, a single-dose vaccine. Now the CDC is recommending that Shingrix-a two-dose vaccine-be given to people starting at age 50, a full 10 years earlier than its advice for getting Zostavax. ![]()
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