You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Show
Shingles: Should I Get a Vaccine to Prevent Shingles?
Get the factsYour options
Key points to remember
FAQs Shingles is an infection that occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox starts up again in your body. Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles, but it is most common in older adults. Shingles usually causes a rash that can be very painful. The rash is usually on your back or chest and lasts from 2 to 4 weeks. For some people, the severe pain continues long after the rash clears up. Shingles can be very hard on older people. The pain can affect their quality of life. For some, the pain lasts for a year or longer. Only people who have had chickenpox can get shingles. Out of 100 people, about 30 may get shingles sometime in their lives.footnote 2 And the risk is higher for people age 50 and older. Older people are also more likely to have severe pain with shingles. Most people who get shingles will not get it again. But some people get shingles more than once. The vaccine lowers your chances of getting shingles. If you get the vaccine and still get shingles, you are likely to have much less pain and for a much shorter time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of the shingles vaccine for adults ages 50 and older and for adults 19 and older who have a weakened immune system.footnote 1 Side effects include:
Getting the vaccine has some risks. For example:
You shouldn't get the vaccine if:
Compare your options
Get a shingles vaccine Get a shingles vaccine
Don't get a shingles vaccine Don't get a shingles vaccine
I talked to my doctor about the shingles vaccine and I think I'm going to get it. My wife had shingles 2 years ago, and she was really in a lot of pain. If I can avoid that by getting a vaccine, it will really be worth it to me. Abel, 65 I'm not going to get a vaccine, at least not right now. I don't like to take medicines of any kind if I don't have to. Hattie, 50 What matters most to you?Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to get a shingles vaccine Reasons not to get a vaccine I want to lower my chances of getting shingles. I would rather take my chances without getting a vaccine. More important Equally important More important I'm afraid of the pain that shingles can cause. I'm not afraid of shingles pain. More important Equally important More important Getting shots doesn't bother me. I don't like getting shots. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important Where are you leaning now?Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Getting the shingles vaccine NOT getting the vaccine Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward What else do you need to make your decision?Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Your SummaryHere's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Next stepsWhich way you're leaningHow sure you areYour comments
Key concepts that you understoodKey concepts that may need reviewPatient choicesCredits
References Citations
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Shingles: Should I Get a Vaccine to Prevent Shingles?Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
1. Get the FactsYour options
Key points to remember
FAQs What is shingles?Shingles is an infection that occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox starts up again in your body. Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles, but it is most common in older adults. Shingles usually causes a rash that can be very painful. The rash is usually on your back or chest and lasts from 2 to 4 weeks. For some people, the severe pain continues long after the rash clears up. Shingles can be very hard on older people. The pain can affect their quality of life. For some, the pain lasts for a year or longer. What are your chances of getting shingles?Only people who have had chickenpox can get shingles. Out of 100 people, about 30 may get shingles sometime in their lives.2 And the risk is higher for people age 50 and older. Older people are also more likely to have severe pain with shingles. Most people who get shingles will not get it again. But some people get shingles more than once. How well does the vaccine work?The vaccine lowers your chances of getting shingles. If you get the vaccine and still get shingles, you are likely to have much less pain and for a much shorter time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of the shingles vaccine for adults ages 50 and older and for adults 19 and older who have a weakened immune system.1 What are the risks and side effects of the shingles vaccine?Side effects include:
Getting the vaccine has some risks. For example:
You shouldn't get the vaccine if:
Why might your doctor recommend that you get a shingles vaccine?
2. Compare your options
Personal storiesPersonal stories about considering a shingles vaccineThese stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "I talked to my doctor about the shingles vaccine and I think I'm going to get it. My wife had shingles 2 years ago, and she was really in a lot of pain. If I can avoid that by getting a vaccine, it will really be worth it to me." — Abel, 65 "I'm not going to get a vaccine, at least not right now. I don't like to take medicines of any kind if I don't have to." — Hattie, 50 "I'm definitely getting the vaccine, even though I've already had shingles. I know it's rare to get shingles a second time, but I do not want to go through that again." — Romana, 69
3. What matters most to you?Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to get a shingles vaccine Reasons not to get a vaccine I want to lower my chances of getting shingles. I would rather take my chances without getting a vaccine. More important Equally important More important I'm afraid of the pain that shingles can cause. I'm not afraid of shingles pain. More important Equally important More important Getting shots doesn't bother me. I don't like getting shots. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important 4. Where are you leaning now?Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Getting the shingles vaccine NOT getting the vaccine Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward 5. What else do you need to make your decision?Check the facts1. The shingles vaccine works well to prevent shingles.
That's right. The vaccine greatly lowers your chances of getting shingles. 2. If I get the vaccine, I could still get shingles.
You're right. But even if you do get shingles, your symptoms are likely to be much milder. 3. Experts recommend the shingles vaccine.
You're right. The CDC recommends two doses of the shingles vaccine. Decide what's next1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Credits
References Citations
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version. What are the chances of getting shingles after vaccine?The shingles vaccines are the best way to protect you from getting shingles. The vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of getting shingles by 50% for Zostavax® II, and to more than 90% for Shingrix®.
How long is shingles vaccine good for?Zostavax®, the shingles vaccine, reduced the risk of shingles by 51% and the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia by 67% based on a large study of more than 38,000 adults aged 60 years or older. Protection from shingles vaccine lasts about 5 years.
|