People who have had chickenpox at an early age may develop shingles at an older age. The chances of this happening are greatly increased in people over the age of 60.
The only way to reduce the risk of contracting shingles and avoid the possibility of the very unpleasant complication of metherpetic algae is to have EMBOLUTION.
Who should be vaccinated?
Today in our country, the National Vaccination Committee recommends a single dose of this vaccine to adults over 60 years of age (regardless of whether these individuals report a previous episode of shingles infection). These patients may be vaccinated 1 year after the onset of disease). Persons over 60 years of age who are relatively immunosuppressed either due to medication or due to coexisting other diseases may be vaccinated unless the degree of immunosuppression is an absolute contraindication. In particular, patients who are to receive immunosuppressive therapy or chemotherapy must be vaccinated at least 1 month before the start of their treatment.
It should be borne in mind that vaccination in patients suffering from shingles neither prevents nor reduces the symptoms of the disease. We must also be aware that the vaccine is not used to treat patients who either have active disease or are suffering from metherpetic algae.
Are there any side effects to vaccination?
The side effects are usually local and are related to the injection site of the vaccine. The most common are: redness, mild pain, itching and mild swelling. Sometimes the above mentioned side effects may occur along the injected limb and may be more severe. Very rarely the vaccine may cause: nausea, fever, lymphadenitis, generalised herpetic rash, urticaria and others.
Are there any contraindications to this vaccine?
The vaccine should not be given to women who are or may be pregnant. It should not be given to children and cannot replace the chickenpox vaccine for the prevention of chickenpox. It should not be given to people with a major reduction in body defences or to people with an allergy to neomycin or another component of the vaccine.
How many shingles vaccines do we currently have?
There are currently 2 shingles vaccines available in the European Union countries. In Greece, however, as mentioned above, only ZOSTAVAX is available. This vaccine, however, does not provide absolute protection. After vaccination with this vaccine, the probability of infection and the occurrence of herpes neuralgia are reduced by 60-70% , while the protective effect decreases after five years. The specific data of the vaccine currently available in our country will be significantly improved with the use of the newer vaccine that we expect to be released in the next few years.
Therefore, it is advisable to be vaccinated now with the vaccine we have available today and of course, the current vaccination does not exclude a future one. Trust a dermatologist, who is the only one who can inform you correctly and responsibly and, if he or she deems it necessary, prescribe this vaccine without any involvement.
For more information and fuller information please do not hesitate to call us at 231 531 0942 to make an appointment and visit our Dermatology Clinic located at 2 Patr.Ioakim Street, behind Ag.Sofias.
Source : www.edae.gr
