If you've had shingles, is the vaccine still effective?

A 75-year-old individual with type two diabetes, who recently recovered from shingles two months ago, asks if getting vaccinated is still beneficial. (Bach Cuc, Khanh Hoa)

Yes, even if you have previously had shingles, vaccination is highly recommended to reduce the risk of recurrence and post-herpetic neuralgia.

Shingles and chickenpox are both caused by the varicella-zoster virus. After recovering from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve ganglia and can "reactivate" when immunity is weakened, due to old age, stress, or the use of immunosuppressant medications.

Immunity after the first infection gradually decreases over time. The recurrence rate in the community ranges from 2% to 18%, and can be as high as 30% in individuals with cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, or HIV. Therefore, even those who have had shingles can experience it again when their immune system weakens.

Older adults receive the shingles vaccine at the VNVC Vaccination System. Photo: Minh Tam

Shingles not only causes rashes and burning pain but can also lead to complications such as pneumonia, hepatitis, facial paralysis, and post-herpetic neuralgia, which can persist for many months or years, significantly impacting quality of life. The risk of complications increases with age, making prevention crucial for older adults.

The shingles vaccine from GSK has been licensed by the Ministry of Health and is widely used in Vietnam. The vaccine is recommended for individuals aged 18 and older who are at high risk, and for those aged 50 and above, helping prevent the disease and its complications with over 90% efficacy. Individuals who have previously had shingles are still advised to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of recurrence and post-herpetic neuralgia.

For your specific case, being 75 years old with type two diabetes and having recovered from shingles, you should consult with a vaccination doctor for a health assessment and appropriate recommendation. Typically, the vaccination schedule for individuals aged 50 and above consists of two doses, administered two months apart.

Doctor Ha Manh Cuong

Medical Manager, VNVC Vaccination System

Readers can submit vaccine-related questions for a doctor's response here.

By VnExpress: https://vnexpress.net/da-mac-zona-tiem-vaccine-con-tac-dung-khong-5111805.html