I am debating getting the shingles vaccine and hope you can advise me. I had shingles 12 years ago—despite starting antiviral medications before the rash developed, the blisters appeared on my face and I suffered moderate loss of vision in my right eye. I have had many vaccinations without undue side effects, but given that I have already had shingles, is it worth me getting vaccinated against the condition?
I strongly recommend you get vaccinated, since it is possible for shingles to recur. Of course, no vaccine provides a 100 percent guarantee of protection—however, studies have suggested that the shingles vaccine (Shingrix®) is highly effective at preventing shingles and also confers protection against the long-term nerve pain that can develop after shingles.
Shingrix® consists of two shots given two to six months apart. You may experience pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, and some people have reported fatigue, fever, chills, and nausea for a few days afterward. If you experience side effects after the first shot, try not to be deterred from getting the second one, since a full course is required for full protection.
Recently, there has been some data suggesting an effect of Shingles vaccination in reducing dementia. The reduction appears to be 20-30% in all dementias, with a greater reduction in Alzheimer Disease. Two doses of Shingrex are better than one; and Shingrex seems better than Zostovax, where this effect wanes over time—suggesting another benefit to Shingrex vaccination even if you already had Zostovax. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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