Shingrix: Details on adverse reactions, pricing, potential substitutes, comparison with Zostavax, and additional info
Shingrix is a brand-named vaccine that helps prevent the nasty and painful condition known as shingles, also called herpes zoster. This vaccine is approved for use in people over 50 years old and those 18+ with an increased risk of shingles. Shingrix is not used for preventing chickenpox, another condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
Shingrix is administered as an intramuscular injection, usually in the upper arm, with two separate doses given. You'll receive these injections at your doctor's office or pharmacy. This vaccine is a recombinant vaccine, meaning it contains parts of the shingles virus - protein, sugar, or capsid - to stimulate your immune system and help prevent infection.
One of the benefits of Shingrix is its effectiveness. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Shingrix in 2017, making it a relatively new and modern vaccine option. Shingrix is highly effective at preventing shingles and its complications. For detailed information about the effectiveness of Shingrix, check out the "Shingrix Uses" section below.
Shingrix Side Effects
Like any vaccine or medication, Shingrix can cause side effects. Some common side effects include:
- Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness or fainting
- Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, shivering, and fatigue
Most of these side effects will go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they persist or are severe, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
While serious side effects are rare, pay close attention to your body. Serious side effects may include Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare neurological condition in which the immune system damages nerve cells. If you notice symptoms like muscle weakness, tingling, or difficulty walking, seek medical attention right away.
Remember, Shingrix is generally safe, and its benefits in preventing shingles and its complications significantly outweigh the potential risks.
Comparing Shingrix and Zostavax
There once was an alternative shingles vaccine called Zostavax. Like Shingrix, Zostavax was approved to prevent shingles. However, Zostavax is no longer available in the United States.
Shingrix and Zostavax differ in several ways:
- Uses: Shingrix is approved for use in people ages 50 years and older and those 18 years and older who have an increased risk of shingles. Zostavax was only approved for use in people aged 50 years and older.
- Live vs. Non-live vaccine: Zostavax was a live vaccine, meaning it contained a weakened form of the shingles virus. This could potentially pose risks for people with weakened immune systems. Shingrix, on the other hand, is a non-live vaccine, as it contains parts of the shingles virus that have been rendered inactive.
- CDC Recommendation: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends Shingrix as the preferred vaccine for preventing shingles.
Shingrix Cost and Financial Assistance
As with all medications, the cost of Shingrix can fluctuate. Your insurance coverage and the pharmacy you use will impact the final price you pay.
If you require financial assistance to cover the cost of Shingrix, help is available. GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, the manufacturer of Shingrix, offers a program called GSKforyou. For more information and eligibility requirements, call 866-728-4368 or visit their program website.
Shingrix is NOT a Live Vaccine
A live vaccine is one that contains a weakened form of a germ. Shingrix is not a live vaccine as it is an inactive vaccine, made from a killed germ. This means it is safe for people with weakened immune systems, who are typically advised against receiving live vaccines due to the rare possibility of the weakened germ reverting back to its full-strength form, causing the disease it's meant to prevent.
Alternatives to Shingrix
There are no alternative Shingrix vaccines currently available. However, Shingrix is continually being studied and may be updated or replaced with newer, more effective vaccines in the future. Keep an eye out for future updates!
Stopping Shingles Before It Starts
Shingrix is an essential tool in the fight against shingles and its associated complications. Speak to your healthcare provider about whether Shingrix is right for you, and take the necessary steps to protect your health. Don't let shingles get the best of you – vaccinate with Shingrix today!
- Shingrix, a vaccine that prevents shingles, is approved for use in people over 50 years old and those with an increased risk of shingles, but it is not used for preventing chickenpox.
- Shingrix is a recombinant vaccine, containing parts of the shingles virus to stimulate the immune system and prevent infections, and it is administered as two separate intramuscular injections.
- Shingrix is a modern and highly effective vaccine, approved by the FDA in 2017, at preventing shingles and its complications, although side effects like pain, headache, flu-like symptoms, and more may occur.
- The benefits of Shingrix in preventing shingles significantly outweigh the potential risks, but it's essential to pay close attention to any side effects and seek medical attention if they persist or are severe.
- Compared to Zostavax, another shingles vaccine, Shingrix is approved for a wider age range, is a non-live vaccine, and is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- The cost of Shingrix can vary based on insurance coverage and the pharmacy used, but financial assistance programs such as GSKforyou are available for those in need.
- As an inactive vaccine, Shingrix is safe for people with weakened immune systems, making it an important tool in the fight against shingles and its associated complications. While no alternative Shingrix vaccines are currently available, updates and replacements may be developed in the future.
