Shingles
Shingles Vaccinations in Beverly, MA
About the Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix)
Shingles vaccination is the only way to protect against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (also known as PHN), the most common complication of shingles. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine (Shingrix), separated by 2 to 6 months, to prevent shingles and complications from the disease. At NIMVAX, we give you Shingrix as a shot in your upper arm.
Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and PHN. Two doses of Shingrix are more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and PHN, and protection stays above 85% for at least the first four years after you get vaccinated.
Get Your Shingles Vaccine
At NIMVAX, our highest priority is to promote healthier communities one vaccination at a time. No matter your specific situation, we’re here to provide you with the industry-leading care you deserve. Learn more about shingles, the shingles vaccine, and what you can expect from NIMVAX below, then schedule your vaccination now.
What Is Shingles?
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful, blistering skin rash. It occurs when the varicella zoster virus, which is the virus that causes chickenpox, becomes active again in some people who had chickenpox earlier in life.
For reasons not fully understood, this reactivation happens more often as people age. As the virus settles into the body’s nervous system, it travels along nerve pathways to the skin where blisters can break out anywhere on the body but most commonly on the torso or face.
The resulting skin lesions are very painful and some sufferers go on to develop post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). This extremely painful condition may last for months or sometimes even years.
Who Should Get Shingrix?
Healthy people aged 50 years and older should get two doses of Shingrix. The second dose should be given 2 to 6 months after the first. You should receive a shingles vaccine even if you previously got shingles or are unsure whether or not you had chickenpox.
If you’ve had shingles before, a shingles vaccine can help prevent future occurrences of the condition. There is no precise duration for which to wait after recovering from shingles before being vaccinated.
The shingles vaccine is available to anyone who has had chickenpox in the past. Even if people didn’t realize they had chickenpox, studies indicate that more than 99 percent of Americans aged 40 and over have had the disease. Chickenpox and shingles are both caused by the same virus which remains inactive in the body after chickenpox has been cured. It can reactivate years later, causing shingles, making it necessary for healthy adults over 50 to get the vaccine.
You Should Not Get a Shingles Vaccine If:
You've ever had a major reaction to any component of the vaccine.
You've had a reaction after having previously gotten a dose of Shingrix.
You tested negative for immunity to varicella zoster virus.
You currently have shingles.
You are currently pregnant or breastfeeding.
What Are Some Possible Shingles Vaccine Side Effects?
Shingles can cause long-term nerve pain that gets worse over time in some people. Shingles vaccinations are expected to have few side effects because it is made with a weakened form of the virus.
Reactions may include redness, swelling, pain, itching, and warmth where the shot was given along with fatigue, headache, fever, and muscle aches lasting 1-2 days.
There is an increased risk of developing shingles in adults 50 years old or older if they have never been vaccinated against shingles or chickenpox.
What to Expect From Shingrix
The shingles vaccine is a more potent immunization than Varivax, which may produce stronger side effects for a shorter time than other vaccines. Because Shingrix activates your immune system, it may induce more serious short-term side effects than other vaccinations. These symptoms can be uncomfortable, but they are normal and generally dissipate on their own in two or three days.
Why Choose NIMVAX?
NIMVAX focuses on immunizations by appointment for patients aged 3 years and older, which allows us to offer a higher level of patient care with a no-wait guarantee.
In a comfortable and secure setting, NIMVAX offers courteous, quick immunization service to patients. NIMVAX is dedicated to delivering vaccines in a safe manner and follows all legal and regulatory requirements. This ensures that vaccination services are carried out using the greatest possible accuracy under suitable circumstances, with the right patient receiving them.
With the critical need for vaccines in today’s society, we aim to safely deliver immunizations to patients while also meeting the public health requirement of keeping communities safe from disease transmission.
- No wait times.
- Simply, easy online scheduling.
- A safe, comfortable environment.
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of serious and potentially deadly diseases. NIMVAX’s objective is to provide immunizations in a safe and timely manner to communities that need them most.
Contact Us Now
Our pharmacists are fully prepared to give you the best possible immunization experience. We’re here to educate our patients about vaccines’ significance and work toward eliminating any vaccine concerns that they may have.
Have a question for the NIMVAX team? Wondering if the shingles vaccine is right for you? Ready to schedule a visit? We’d love to hear from you, so contact us now and rest assured that you’re in good hands. We look forward to seeing you for your shingles vaccine!
