Dr. Sharon Orrange
Primary Care Physician
Dr. Orrange received her BA in Biology at the University of California, San Diego, and a Masters Degree in Health Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. She received her MD from the USC Keck School of…
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FAST FACTS
LOCATION: Santa Monica, CA, USA
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
AFFILIATIONS:
  • Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Division of Geriatric, Hospital and General Internal Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
YEARS IN PRACTICE: 15
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Do I Need the Shingles Vaccine Zostavax?
2
Posted in Shingles by Dr. Sharon Orrange on Oct 21, 2011
Guidelines have recently changed regarding this vaccine, so it is good to know if you need a shingles vaccine, or not. The shingles vaccine, Zostavax, is indicated for people age 50 and older to prevent zoster (shingles.) Shingles is a painful blistering skin condition that results because of reactivation of the chicken pox virus. The shingles vaccine reduces the risk of acquiring shingles by 51%. Another plus is that the common and debilitating complication of shingles, a pain syndrome after the lesions resolve called post herpetic neuralgia (PNH,) is reduced by 66% in patients who receive the vaccine.

In March 2011, the indication for the vaccine was changed to include everyone over the age of 50, instead of 60. In the age group 50-59 the vaccine reduces the incidence of shingles by 70% which is impressive. Zostavax is a single dose vaccine so you only need it once, and there is no need for a booster.

Who can’t get it? People with immune diseases like lymphoma, leukemia, AIDS, or if you are pregnant you cannot take the shingles vaccine. Another thing to know is that whether or not you have immunity to chicken pox doesn’t matter prior to receiving the vaccine.

- Dr O



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CATEGORIES: Overview
CONDITIONS AND COMMUNITIES: Chicken Pox  •  Grandparents Raising Children  •  Shingles  •  Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)  •  Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)  •  Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)  •  Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)  •  Common Variable Immunodeficiency  •  Environmental Allergies  •  Environmental Issues  •  Health Insurance  •  Hodgkin's Lymphoma  •  Immunizations  •  Non-hodgkin's Lymphoma  •  Pregnancy  •  Pregnancy - Teens
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I am 30 years old. Thanks for sharing nice topic.
By johnlasseter  Mar 16, 2012
1
I am 57. I was denied the vaccine for the last 3 years because I was not yet 60, even though I was caring for my mother, who had contracted a debilitating case of the disease. Fortunately I did not get shingles, but now that she is dead, I can get the vaccine. How ironic!
By bonusjack  Oct 23, 2011
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