Shingles Vaccination – Protection Against Herpes Zoster
The shingles vaccination protects against herpes zoster and its complications. It is especially recommended for adults aged 60 and older.
Wissenswertes über "Shingles Vaccination"
The shingles vaccination protects against herpes zoster and its complications. It is especially recommended for adults aged 60 and older.
What Is the Shingles Vaccination?
The shingles vaccination (also called the herpes zoster vaccine) is a preventive immunisation against shingles, a painful viral disease caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. This virus first causes chickenpox and then remains dormant in the nervous system for life. In older age or when the immune system is weakened, the virus can reactivate and cause shingles. The vaccine aims to prevent this reactivation or significantly reduce the severity of the disease.
Why Is the Vaccination Important?
Shingles can cause intense pain, a characteristic skin rash, and potentially serious long-term complications. One of the most common complications is postherpetic neuralgia – persistent nerve pain that can last for months even after the rash has healed. Other possible complications include:
- Eye involvement (herpes zoster ophthalmicus), which can lead to vision loss
- Ear involvement (Ramsay Hunt syndrome), which may cause hearing loss or facial paralysis
- Bacterial skin infections
- Rare neurological complications such as encephalitis
The risk of developing shingles increases significantly with age, as the immune system naturally weakens over time.
Available Vaccines
Recombinant Adjuvanted Subunit Vaccine
The primary vaccine currently available is the recombinant, adjuvanted subunit vaccine Shingrix. It does not contain live virus; instead, it uses a protein from the viral surface combined with an adjuvant that boosts the immune response. Shingrix is administered in two doses, given two to six months apart, and has demonstrated an efficacy of over 90% against shingles and its complications.
Live Attenuated Vaccine (No Longer Recommended)
An older live attenuated vaccine (Zostavax) has been withdrawn from the market in many countries and is no longer recommended. It was less effective, particularly in older adults, and has been superseded by the recombinant vaccine.
Official Recommendations
Health authorities including the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) in Germany and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States recommend the shingles vaccine for:
- All adults aged 60 years and older as a standard recommendation
- Adults aged 50 years and older who have an increased risk due to conditions such as immunosuppression, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease
People who have previously had shingles are also eligible for vaccination, as recurrence is possible.
Side Effects
The shingles vaccine is generally well tolerated. Common side effects include:
- Local reactions at the injection site: redness, swelling, and pain
- General symptoms: fatigue, headache, muscle aches, fever, and chills
- These symptoms typically resolve within a few days
Severe allergic reactions are very rare. Anyone with a known allergy to a component of the vaccine should consult a healthcare professional before vaccination.
Cost and Coverage
In many countries, the cost of the shingles vaccine is covered by public health insurance for eligible individuals. Patients should check with their individual health insurance provider to confirm coverage details.
References
- Robert Koch-Institut (RKI) / Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO): Recommendations on vaccination against herpes zoster. Epidemiological Bulletin, current edition. Available at: www.rki.de
- European Medicines Agency (EMA): Shingrix – Summary of Product Characteristics and Assessment Report. Available at: www.ema.europa.eu
- Lal H et al.: Efficacy of an Adjuvanted Herpes Zoster Subunit Vaccine in Older Adults. New England Journal of Medicine, 2015;372(22):2087–2096.
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Related search terms: Shingles Vaccination + Shingles Vaccine + Herpes Zoster Vaccine + Zoster Vaccination