In a new study published in PLOS Medicine, researchers once again highlight the importance of receiving vaccinations, specifically the herpes zoster vaccination for those individuals 65 and older. They reported that the vaccination reduced the incidence of zoster (shingles) and postherpetic neuralgia (nerve damage and disabling pain following an outbreak of shingles) among this age goup.
The study included about 766,000 individuals ages 65 and older, among whom about 30,000 had received the herpes zoster vaccination between 2007 and 2009. The lowest vaccination rates occurred in individuals 80 and over, in blacks and in low-income individuals. Incidence rates of zoster were 10 per 1,000 person-years in the unvaccinated individuals verses 5.4 per 1,000 person-years in those who had received the vaccination.
Dr. Sinéad Langan of the faculty of epidemiology and population health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine noted, These data clearly demonstrate vaccine effectiveness in routine practice including effectiveness against postherpetic neuralgia. As postherpetic neuralgia is associated with major morbidity and impairment of quality of life, major efforts are needed to increase use in routine care. Dr. Langan also adds that future research should focus on targeted vaccination to specific groups of individuals.
ACSH s Dr. Gilbert Ross adds, This lends more support to the fact that individuals aged 65 and older should talk to their doctors about receiving the herpes zoster/shingles vaccine. There is absolutely no downside to receiving the vaccination and given that postherpetic neuralgia can be so debilitating, the vaccination is extremely important. Unfortunately, the availability and insurance coverage for this vaccine is not widely known, even by physicians. But the official policy is for everyone over age 60 to get this protection, and this will be echoed by anyone who has had an attack of shingles.