Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. While shingles can occur anywhere on your body, it most often appears as a single stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or the right side of your torso.
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles. If you have had Chicken Pox (varicella zoster virus) disease you are at risk for developing Shingles.
“There are an estimated 1 million cases of shingles in the US each year,” stated Bethany Bjorklund, RN, BSN, Immunization Nurse at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health. “More than 99 percent of adults age 50 or older have been infected with the chicken pox virus, and 1 in 3 Americans will develop shingles in their lifetime. The risk increases to 1 in 2 adults aged 85 years and older.”
While shingles isn’t a life-threatening condition, it can be very painful. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of shingles, while early treatment can help shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications. The Shingrix vaccine has shown over 90% efficacy across ALL age groups in the prevention of shingles. This vaccine was developed specifically to overcome the age related decline in immunity to shingles (herpes zoster). Shingrix is a two-dose vaccine series given 2-6 months apart in the upper arm. It recommended for adults age 50 and older, and it is NOT a live virus vaccine.
The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health’s walk-in immunization clinic is open Monday –Friday from 10AM-Noon and 12:30-4PM. Patients who receive their first dose with the Health Department will receive a reminder 2-6 months later for their 2nd dose. Most private insurance companies cover the cost of the vaccine. Medicare recipients are encouraged to call the Health Department at 641-421-9300 to inquire about their specific vaccine insurance coverage plan.
