Theres a new shingles vaccine in town… and it’s great!  The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)– the guru organization

regarding immunizations– has just voted to recommend preferential use of a NEW shingles vaccine (Shingrix) instead of the currently available shingles vaccine (Zostavax).

This is BIG news. This new vaccine is approved by the FDA for prevention of shingles in adults 50 and older (instead of 60 for Zostavax). Other changes from Zostavax are that Shingrix is 2 vaccines dosed between 2 to 6 months after the first dose. Shingrix is also a non-live vaccine.

What should you do?

• Wait for Shingrix to be released (expected to be released early 2018).
• Be patient as it may be in great demand and the manufacturers may have difficulty keeping up with demand at first.
• If you have had the Zostavax it is suggested that you get the two-shot regimen of Shingrix to help boost immunity against shingles. (I am unsure the patient-cost of 2 doses of Shingrix and administration of those two doses.)
• It is unknown if Medicare will pay for the two-shot regimen.

Interesting…  Stay posted.

herpes zoster day 3