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Shingles vaccine

Vaccine price

200€*

* The price shown does not include the administrative costs of the medical facility

What is shingles

Herpes zoster (HZ), also called shingles, is an acute viral disease brought on by the reactivation of latent infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family . The virus remains latent in the ganglion roots of the nervous system and can only develop in people who have contracted chickenpox or come in contact with the virus, including those vaccinated with a live chickenpox vaccine. Factors that may increase the risk of occurrence of HZ or aggravate its symptoms are age and certain predisposing diseases. The main symptoms of HZ are: vesicular rash, usually unilateral, frequently associated with pain (shingles). Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN ) is the most frequent and important complication along with others such as bacterial overinfection of lesions, skin dissemination, pulmonary infection, and myocarditis.

The importance of prevention

Vaccination against shingles is important to prevent the incidence of HZ and postherpetic neuralgia. Prevention of this disease is conducted safely and effectively through the Varicella-Zoster vaccine, which has been available since 1995 and administered together with the Measles, Rubella, and Pertussis vaccine. Vaccination is recommended not only for those at risk, but also for those who have not yet developed the disease because infection contracted in adulthood could lead to more serious clinical consequences.

The vaccine

Trade name:

Zostavax / Shingrix

According to the National Vaccine Prevention Plan (NPPP) 2017-2019, vaccination against herpes zoster should be actively offered in individuals 65 years of age and those at risk as early as 50 years of age if they have diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, COPD, and if they are treated with immunosuppressive therapy.

ZOSTAVAX is a live attenuated shingles vaccine. The HZ vaccine consists of an attenuated form of the varicella zoster virus and can inhibit the reactivation of the virus latent in the body and thus prevent the occurrence of herpes zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN). Such vaccination is able to reduce cases of post-herpetic neuralgia by about 65 percent and clinical cases of zoster by about 50 percent.
SHINGRIX is a recombinant adjuvanted vaccine, that is, it contains a glycoprotein of the VZV virus recombined from viral DNA. Its efficacy in reducing cases of HZ is greater than 90%. It also reduces cases of post-herpetic neuralgia by about 70% in those over 80 years old, reaching nearly 100% in those in their 50s.

The mode of administration of ZOSTAVAX is by single-dose injectable suspension. The need for booster doses is not known at present. ZOSTAVAX is indicated for immunization of subjects aged 50 years and older.
The mode of administration of SHINGRIX is by injectable suspension. The intended doses of SHINGRIX are two. These should be administered 2-6 months apart. SHINGRIX is administered in adults 50 years and older and in adults 18 years and older who have an increased risk of contracting shingles.

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Following administration of the herpes zoster vaccine, swelling, itching, erythema, and pain at the injection site may occur. In some cases, headache and pain in the extremities are reported. As with all vaccines, it is possible that even severe allergic reactions may occur. However, this is a rare occurrence.
The administration of ZOSTAVAX vaccine should not be given:

  • In subjects allergic to the active ingredients or any of the vaccine components;
  • in subjects with primary and acquired immunodeficiency;
  • in subjects who are taking immunosuppressive therapy, including high-dose corticosteriods;
  • In subjects with untreated active tuberculosis;
  • in pregnant women.

SHINGRIX vaccine should not be administered:

  • in subjects allergic to the active ingredients or any of the vaccine components;
  • in pregnant women no studies have been conducted so it is best to avoid its use if possible or in any case a consultation with your attending physician is necessary.
  • Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of the excipients;
  • Hypersensitivity following previous administration of rotavirus vaccines;
  • Previous history of intestinal invagination;
  • Subjects with a congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract that could predispose to intestinal invagination;
  • Immunocompromised infants.
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The information presented is general in nature, is published for general audiences and is not a substitute for the relationship between patient and physician.