If you have ever had chicken pox you are at risk of getting shingles. The chicken pox virus stays in your system and can resurface as shingles later in life. The main symptoms are a painful rash that blisters and then scabs. Postherpetic neuralgia can occur after you have had shingles. This is nerve pain that can last for three months or more after the rash has gone.

In the UK it is estimated that about 3 people in every 1,000 have shingles in  every year. Although shingles can occur at any age it is more common over the age of 50 years. In those aged 80 years and over the incidence of getting shingles increases to about 11 people in 1,000 per year.

Vaccination

Zostavax is a vaccination that can reduce your risk of getting shingles. It is licensed for use in those aged 50 years and over. You can have the vaccine even if you have not had chicken pox.

You should not have the vaccine if:

• you are allergic to any of its ingredients, including gelatin or neomycin.
• you have a weakened immune system or take high doses of steroids.
• if are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• you should not get ZOSTAVAX to prevent chickenpox.
• Tell your nurse if you have had a vaccine against pneumonia in the last 4 weeks. It is best to have these 4 weeks apart.

Further Information

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Shingles/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.zostavax.com/