Shingles or Herpes Zoster Vaccine
Shingles / Herpes Zoster commonly known as "Naagin" or "Daad"
GSK
Belgium
For seniors above 50 years of age.
To be administered intramuscularly by a trained healthcare professional. Kindly do not self-administer.
Shingrix is the world’s first non-live, recombinant subunit vaccine to be given intramuscularly in two doses. Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox.
After a person has had chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in their nerve cells for many years. As people age, their immune systems weaken, making them more vulnerable to the reactivation of the virus. When the virus reactivates, it causes a painful rash lasting for several weeks or even months. Shingles can also lead to complications such as postherpetic neuralgia, a persistent pain that can last for months or years after the rash has healed.
A seroprevalence study in Indian subjects showed that by the age of 40 years more than 90% had this virus in their body and were vulnerable to shingles. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, the incidence of shingles in India is around 3.3 cases per 1000 people per year, which translates to around 4.5 million cases annually.
Shingrix is a recombinant subunit vaccine that works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against the varicella-zoster virus. It is given in two doses, with the second dose administered two to six months after the first. Clinical trials have shown that Shingrix is highly effective in preventing shingles, with an efficacy rate of over 90%.
Shingrix was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of shingles in adults 50 years of age or older in 2017.The European Commission gave Shingrix approval for the prevention of shingles in adults 50 years of age or older in 2018.
Shingrix vaccine is indicated for the prevention of Shingles or Hepes zoster.
For seniors above 50 years of age:
Two doses at an interval of 2 months is indicated.
If flexibility in the vaccination schedule is necessary, the second dose can be administered between 2 and 6 months after the first dose.
Shingrix is administered as an intramuscular injection in the deltoid region of the arm or anterolateral region of the thigh by a trained healthcare professional. Do not self-inject the vaccine.
Shingrix vaccination is generally well tolerated. General side-effects include mild pain and redness at injection site which is transient and self resolves within a few days. Serious side effects are very rare.
Shingrix vaccination is contraindicated in cases which have had allergic reaction to any previous dose of the vaccine or to any component of the vaccine.
Shingrix vaccination can be taken at any time of the day, and there are no specific requirements such as fasting or post-meal administration.
Shingrix is generally well tolerated and does not disrupt your daily activities, including food, travel and medication use. However, if you have any concerns or specific health conditions, it's advisable to discuss them with your healthcare provider before vaccination.
INVC vaccine experts are here to provide you with up-to-date guideline-based information to help you make an informed decision about Shingrix vaccination. However, if you have any specific health conditions or a unique medical history, we also advise you to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
You can schedule an appointment with INVC to receive the Shingrix vaccine at your nearest centre or at the convenience of your home in Kolkata.
Your trusted Vaccination Experts are here to help you.
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