Page 9 - Leisure Living Magazine July 2019

Vaccine Update: Shingles,
Pneumococcal Pneumonia,
And Measles
By Marilee Clemons, PharmD and Elizabeth McMain
Vaccinations are one of
the most convenient and
safest care measures to
prevent disease. Vaccines
work with your body’s
natural defenses to help you
safely develop immunity
to disease lowering your
chance of getting certain
diseases and suffering
from their complications.
They not only protect the
individuals receiving them,
but also lower your chance
of spreading disease. Some
people in your family or
community may not be able
to get certain vaccines due to
their age or health condition
so they rely on you to help
prevent the spread of disease. Additionally, infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to infectious disease therefore vaccination is one of the safest ways to protect yourself and the health of those around you.
Shingles is a painful rash that develops on one side of your body, face, or torso. The rash consists of painful blisters that scab within 7 to 10 days and clears within 2 to 4 weeks, however the pain, which is described as an intense burning sensation, can last for months to years after the rash goes away. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in the United States (US) around 1 in every 3 people will develop shingles during their lifetime and 1 million cases per year is estimated to occur. There are two vaccines licensed to prevent shingles in the US. The zoster vaccine live (Zostavax) has been in use since 2006, however in 2017 a recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix) became available and is the preferred vaccine to receive. Shingrix is a two-dose series that is separated by 2 to 6 months. Shringrix provides more protection
www.LeisureLivingMagazine.com
Vaccinations are one of the most effective of all global public health missions to prevent deadly diseases.
against Shingles than the previous vaccine. It is recommended that all adults 50 years and older receive the Shingrix vaccine and that also applies to those who also received Zostavax.
Because of this new recommendation, the Shringrix vaccination is in high demand making it difficult for the manufacturer of the vaccine to maintain an adequate supply. However, the supply should catch up with the demand in time. Many pharmacies have waiting lists that patients can be put on to ensure they receive the vaccine in a timely manner. Calling your local pharmacy, doctor’s office, or other pharmacies in the area can help to determine its availability and the wait time to receive the vaccine. The CDC recommends that the second vaccination in the series is given 2 to 6 months following the first one. In the event that it takes longer than 6 months to be able to get the second dose, it is ok to get that dose as soon as it is available without having to restart the series.
Pneumococcal pneumonia is a serious lung infection caused by an invasive bacteria called
Continued on page 10
July 2019 LeisureLiving | 9