Question originally asked by Don Rogillio, Baton Rouge

Anyone who had chickenpox as a child is a candidate for shingles as an adult, but there is help.

A new vaccine called ZOSTAVAX, may prevent or at least lessen the severity of shingles, a painful nerve disease marked by a burning red rash. The herpes zoster virus that causes chickenpox lies dormant in nerve cells and then can reawaken as shingles. The vaccine is specifically designed for people 60 and over, the age group that accounts for about half of the cases.

While details are evolving, it is anticipated that the vaccine will not be covered under Medicare part B, but under the Medicare Part D program. Beneficiaries should contact their Part D plan for more information, or their personal physician.

Answered by Dr. Kevin Stephens, Director, City of New Orleans Health Dept.. Filed under General Topics

Comments

I have a the vacination for shingles I have never had chicken pix either. I would like to know do I have to stay away from children under 2 for a certain amount of days. Since I took the vacination?
Phyllis on August 7th, 2007

Im 50 years old and I had an outbreak of shingles when I was 45. Could I get the vaccine now?
Cecil on October 8th, 2007

please tell me where i can get a shingles vaccination? how much should i pay
roberta siegel on November 29th, 2007

I had a horrible case of chicken pox when I was an adult. A few years ago I had a mild case of shingles. Can I get the shingles again and if so, should I get the shingles vaccine? Will the vaccine help since I already had a mild case of shingles?
Marilyn Horn on November 29th, 2007

I'm 69. I had chicken pox as a child. I had a very mild case of the shingles in my late 50's. Should I get the shingles vac or have I built up an immunity to the virus?
Wil January 25, 2008 on January 24th, 2008

What are the side affects or the down side of getting a shingles vacination. I was told there were some.
jo Hansen on January 24th, 2008

I had a very bad case of shingles when I was 55. I am now 61 am I eligible for the vacine. Also is valtrax an early prevention for shingles when initially diagnoses. Than you, djg
David Grose on February 3rd, 2008

I had the shingle vacine. After I had the vacine, I was given a paper that said persons who had tested positive for certain cancers markers in their blood should not havve it, beaqcuse it is a live vacine. My oncologist was angry.
WILLIAM E. HIGGINS JR on March 5th, 2008

My husband has never had chicken pox. Is it safe for him to get the singles vacine?
Deanna Griffin on June 6th, 2008

My daughter had a mile case of chicken pox at one month old - when she turned one we thought she had them again and took her in to the doctor because they were all in one spot and clustery. It was the beginning of shingles - she has just turned 9 and she has it again on the left side again. We took her in right away because we recognized the clusters and all on one side. They have her on medication and they seem to be going away now after 5 days of meds. I asked my dr. if the chicken pox shot would help to make this stop coming again and she doesn't think it would make a difference and that a person generally only gets shingles a few times so that hopefully she will not get them anymore. Do something about them when you suspect that is what it is - do not wait.
Karen on August 7th, 2008

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