Shingrix – A New, More Effective Shingles Vaccine
Shingrix®, a new shingles vaccine, is the preferred alternative to Zostavax® to prevent the painful rash.
April 9, 2018
4 minute read
It used to be that to get a vaccine, you needed to make an appointment at your doctor’s office. In recent years, though, more pharmacies have started to offer common vaccines, so that patients can have affordable, immediate access to the immunizations.
Our pharmacies offer common immunizations such as the flu vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine and the shingles vaccine to the public. You don’t have to be a patient of the health network to walk in for an immunization.
This type of access is beneficial in the light of a new vaccine released to protect against shingles.
“Eligible patients may stop in the pharmacy at any time to receive Shingrix,” said Kate Schaafsma, PharmD, the department of pharmacy manager for the Froedtert & MCW health network. “The process can be as quick as picking up your prescription.”
What is shingles?
Shingles is a painful skin rash that can also lead to lingering nerve pain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 1 out of every 3 people in the U.S. will get shingles (also called herpes zoster) in their lifetime. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox (varicella zoster virus).
Who is at risk?
Anyone who has had chicken pox in their lifetime can develop shingles because the virus can lie dormant in the body and reactivate years later. Adults and children can get shingles, but people with compromised immune systems are more at risk. The only way to prevent shingles is to get vaccinated.
What is new?
A new vaccine for shingles, called Shingrix, was approved by the FDA in late 2017. The CDC says Shingrix is now the preferred vaccine, over Zostavax. Shingrix provides stronger protection from shingles. Multiple large, randomized trials have shown that the Shingrix vaccine prevents more than 90 percent of shingles cases. Zostavax was only about 50 percent effective.
"The recent market addition of Shingrix is an exciting advancement in preventive medicine,” Schaafsma said. “The vaccine has outstanding efficacy rates, providing patients a defense against herpes zoster, the shingles virus."
A big difference between the two vaccines is that Shingrix is made from a protein of the virus, whereas Zostavax is made with a live virus.
What is recommended?
The CDC recommends two doses of Shingrix, two to six months apart, for healthy adults, ages 50 and up. People previously vaccinated with Zostavax are encouraged to get vaccinated again with Shingrix.
It is possible for a person to get shingles more than once. The Shingrix vaccine helps decrease reccurrence of the virus.
Where can you get the Shingrix vaccine?
The following Froedtert & MCW pharmacies provide the Shingrix vaccine.
- 87th Street Pharmacy
- Clinical Cancer Center Pharmacy
- Center for Advanced Care Pharmacy
- Tosa Health Center Pharmacy
- Drexel Town Square Health Center Pharmacy
- Community Memorial Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy
- Town Hall Health Center Pharmacy
In the coming months, the Shingrix vaccine will be available at all pharmacy locations. Anyone is welcome to stop in. No appointments are necessary.
The Froedtert & MCW Pharmacy Experience
If you are already part of the Froedtert & MCW health network, the pharmacists have immediate access to your electronic medical records and Wisconsin Immunization Registry records. Pharmacists can see the medications you’re already taking or have taken in recent years and check for drug interactions, as well as obtain your vaccination history.
Froedtert & MCW pharmacists can provide:
- Screening to determine if you are in need of the vaccination series
- Education about the vaccination
- Convenient scheduling for a follow-up vaccination
- Insurance review to determine coverage of vaccination
“All of our pharmacists and pharmacy interns receive an Immunization Delivery certificate representing the training they have received in the technique to safely screen, administer, monitor and care for patients seeking preventive care,” Schaafsma said. “Our pharmacists have the clinical knowledge, skills and experience to provide exceptional care to patients. This is one of many ways we contribute to improving the health of our community.”
I’ve had recurring shingles with brutal neuropathy & skin eruptions since receiving the older shingles vaccine. I’ll be 62 next week. Nerve pain is excruciating. Why do so many health professionals STILL say or write most people will only get shingles once or twice in their lifetime? It isn’t true.
Hi Sasha -
Thanks for reaching out. As stated in our article, we do note that someone can get shingles more than once, and that those who received the previous vaccination would benefit from the newer vaccine. Your primary care provider would be the best person to consult on what will be right for you. If you need help selecting a Froedtert & MCW primary care provider or a specialist to help with your condition, please visit froedter.com/doctors or call 414-777-7700.
-Taylor