Shingles is also called Herpes Zoster and is an infection which causes a painful rash. Shingles is related to chickenpox but you cannot catch shingles from someone who has chickenpox. When people have chickenpox, the virus remains in the body and can be reactivated at a much later date and cause shingles, often in someone who has a lowered immune system. If you want to have the shingles vaccination in Northampton or the shingles vaccination in Northolt, then visit Touchwood Pharmacy’s immunisation clinics.
The Shingles Vaccine
Shingles can be very painful and uncomfortable with older people being more vulnerable to the illness because of a generally poorer immune response which can also be coupled with other pre-existing health conditions.
The NHS offers a vaccine to people over the age of 70 to prevent shingles which is designed to reduce your risk of contracting it. The risk is not eliminated completely and if you do go on to contract the disease, then the illness will be of a reduced duration and the symptoms will be milder. Some people can suffer pain from the rash for years even after it has disappeared.
The vaccination is given as one single injection into the upper arm and you will only ever need to have this once. It can be given at any time of year. You can still have the vaccine even if you have already had shingles and it will work very well to boost immunity.
What are the drawbacks or cons of the shingles vaccine?
There are many pros associated with the shingles vaccine but also some cons. The principal ones of which include:
- The vaccination won’t completely protect against shingles, but will reduce the chances of contracting the illness. Not everyone builds strong immunity to shingles after being vaccinated and the older you are, the less likely it will be that the vaccine will protect you.
- One of the two shingles vaccinations available on the market is a live vaccine which has the potential to cause infection, virus shedding and transmission so it may actually cause shingles.
If you want to have the shingles vaccination in Northampton or the shingles vaccination in Northolt then contact Touchwood Pharmacy for rapid appointments. There is also more information on our website about shingles and how to protect yourself against this illness. https://www.touchwoodpharmacy.com/
