Shingles Vaccine

Morrow Family Medicine, a Member of Village Medical, is an award-winning, state-of-the-art family practice with offices in Cumming and Milton, Georgia. The practice combines healthcare information technology with old-fashioned care to provide the type of care that many are in search of today. Two physicians, three physician assistants and two nurse practitioners are supported by a knowledgeable and friendly staff to make your visit to Morrow Family Medicine, A Member of Village Medical one that will remind you of the way healthcare should be.  At Morrow Family Medicine, a Member of Village Medical, we like to say we are “bringing the care back to healthcare!”  The practice has been named the “Best of Forsyth” in Family Medicine in all five years of the award, is a three-time consecutive winner of the “Best of North Atlanta” by readers of Appen Media, and the 2019 winner of “Best of Life” in North Fulton County.

Village Medical offers a comprehensive suite of primary care services including preventative care, treatment for illness and injury, and management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and kidney disease. Atlanta-area patients can learn more about the practice here.

Dr. Jim Morrow, Morrow Family Medicine, and Host of To Your Health with Dr. Jim Morrow

Dr. Jim Morrow is the founder and CEO of Morrow Family Medicine. He has been a trailblazer and evangelist in healthcare information technology, was named Physician IT Leader of the Year by HIMSS, a HIMSS Davies Award Winner, the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce Steve Bloom Award Winner as Entrepreneur of the Year and he received a Phoenix Award as Community Leader of the Year from the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.  He is married to Peggie Morrow and together they founded the Forsyth BYOT Benefit, a charity in Forsyth County to support students in need of technology and devices. They have two Goldendoodles, a gaggle of grandchildren and enjoy life on and around Lake Lanier.

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The complete show archive of To Your Health with Dr. Jim Morrow addresses a wide range of health and wellness topics and can be found at www.toyourhealthradio.com.

Dr. Morrow’s Show Notes

Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Update

What is a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine?

• A third dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna) is identical to the first two doses.
  • It can help protect people with weakened immune systems who did not have a strong enough response to the first two doses of one of the mRNA vaccines.
  • Such people can get a third dose as soon as 28 days after a second dose.
  • The FDA has authorized, and the CDC recommends, that those with certain medical conditions that suppress the immune system get a third dose of the same brand of COVID-19 vaccine that they initially received.

Who can get a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine?

Based on CDC recommendations, third vaccine doses are available now for people who are considered moderately or severely immunosuppressed. These would include those who:

• Receive active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood.
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
• Have either had a stem cell transplant within the last two years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
• Were diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.
• Are diagnosed with HIV and have a high viral load or low CD4 count, or are not currently taking medication to treat HIV.
• Are taking drugs such as high-dose steroids or other medications that may cause severe suppression of the immune system.

If you are not sure whether you fit into any of these categories, please contact your medical provider.

When can I get a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine?

• People who have an eligible medical condition that causes a suppressed immune system can receive a third dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine as soon as 28 days after the second dose.
• Johns Hopkins Medicine is offering a third dose to those who are eligible.

Why is a third shot of a COVID-19 vaccine needed?

• The CDC recommends a third dose of the two-shot vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) for people with certain health conditions to help further protect them from getting severely ill or dying due to COVID-19.
  • Some people have conditions or take specific medication doses that can cause them to have a decreased immune system.
  • Data suggest that two doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine may not have a strong enough response in these individuals, and that they may benefit from a third dose.

How do I know if I need a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine?

• If you are unsure about whether your health condition or treatment affects your immune system, discuss it with your health care provider, who can help determine if you would benefit from a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
• People eligible for Pfizer’s booster include
• those 65 and older and those who live in long-term care facilities,
• have underlying medical conditions
• or are at higher risk of exposure to the virus because of their jobs or institutional settings,
  • a group that includes health care workers, teachers and prisoners.

 

Would a third COVID shot have to be the same brand of vaccine I got originally?

• Ideally, yes:
  • Your third vaccine dose should be the same type (Pfizer or Moderna) you received when you were first vaccinated.
    • The third shot can be given to you when it has been at least four weeks (28 days) since your second shot, if you are considered immunosuppressed based on the criteria determined by the CDC.

 

Can I get an additional COVID-19 shot if I received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

• Data are still emerging as to whether an additional dose is necessary for individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
  • There is no current recommendation for an extra dose for people who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, even if they have a qualifying medical condition.
  • Watch for information from the CDC.

www.hopkinsmedicine.org

 

Herpes Zoster “Shingles” Vaccine

 

What Everyone Should Know about the Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix)

• Shingles vaccination is the only way to protect against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN),
  • the most common complication from shingles.
  • CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine called Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine),
    • separated by 2 to 6 months,
    • to prevent shingles and complications from the disease.
    • Your doctor or pharmacist can give you Shingrix as a shot in your upper arm.

Who Should Get Shingrix?

• Healthy adults 50 years and older should get two doses of Shingrix, separated by 2 to 6 months.
• You should get Shingrix even if in the past you
  • had shingles
  • received Zostavax*
  • are not sure if you had chickenpox
• There is no maximum age for getting Shingrix.
• If you had shingles in the past,
  • you can get Shingrix to help prevent future occurrences of the disease.
  • There is no specific length of time that you need to wait after having shingles before you can receive Shingrix,
    • but generally, you should make sure the shingles rash has gone away before getting vaccinated.
  • You can get Shingrix whether or not you remember having had chickenpox in the past.
    • Studies show that more than 99% of Americans 40 years and older have had chickenpox,
      • even if they don’t remember having the disease.
      • Chickenpox and shingles are related because they are caused by the same virus (varicella zoster virus).
      • After a person recovers from chickenpox,
        • the virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body.
        • It can reactivate years later and cause shingles.
      • Shingrix is available in doctor’s offices and pharmacies.
      • If you have questions about Shingrix, talk with your healthcare provider.

• A shingles vaccine called Zostavax is no longer available for use in the United States, as of November 18, 2020.
  • If you had Zostavax in the past, you should still get Shingrix.
    • Talk to your healthcare provider to determine the best time to get Shingrix.

Who Should Not Get Shingrix?

• You should not get Shingrix if you:

• • have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine or after a dose of Shingrix
  • tested negative for immunity to varicella zoster virus.
    • If you test negative, you should get chickenpox vaccine.
  • currently have shingles
  • currently are pregnant or breastfeeding.
    • Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should wait to get Shingrix.

• If you have a minor acute (starts suddenly) illness, such as a cold, you may get Shingrix.
  • But if you have a moderate or severe acute illness,
    • you should usually wait until you recover before getting the vaccine.
    • This includes anyone with a temperature of 101.3°F or higher.
  • The side effects of the Shingrix are temporary
    • and usually last 2 to 3 days.
    • While you may experience pain for a few days after getting Shingrix,
      • the pain will be less severe than having shingles and complications from the disease.

How Well Does Shingrix Work?

• Two doses of Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN),
  • the most common complication of shingles.

• In adults 50 to 69 years old who got two doses,
  • Shingrix was 97% effective in preventing shingles;
  • among adults 70 years and older,
    • Shingrix was 91% effective.
• In adults 50 to 69 years old who got two doses,
  • Shingrix was 91% effective in preventing PHN;
  • among adults 70 years and older,
    • Shingrix was 89% effective.

• Shingrix protection remained high (more than 85%)
  • in people 70 years and older
  • throughout the four years following vaccination.
  • Since your risk of shingles and PHN increases as you get older,
    • it is important to have strong protection against shingles in your older years.

 

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Shingrix?

• Studies show that Shingrix is safe.
  • The vaccine helps your body create a strong defense against shingles.
  • As a result, you are likely to have temporary side effects from getting the shots.
  • The side effects may affect your ability to do normal daily activities for 2 to 3 days.
• Most people got a sore arm with mild or moderate pain after getting Shingrix,
  • and some also had redness and swelling where they got the shot.
  • Some people felt:
    • tired,
    • had muscle pain,
    • a headache,
    • shivering,
    • fever,
    • stomach pain,
    • or nausea.
    • About 1 out of 6 people who got Shingrix experienced side effects that prevented them from doing regular activities.
    • Symptoms went away on their own in about 2 to 3 days.
    • Side effects were more common in younger people.
  • You might have a reaction to the first or second dose of Shingrix, or both doses.
    • If you experience side effects, you may choose to take over-the-counter pain medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
  • If you experience side effects from Shingrix, you should report them to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
    • Your doctor might file this report,
    • or you can do it yourself by calling 1-800-822-7967.
  • If you have any questions about side effects from Shingrix, talk with your doctor.
  • The shingles vaccine does not contain thimerosal (a preservative containing mercury).

 

When Should I See a Doctor Because of the Side Effects I Experience From Shingrix?

• In clinical trials, Shingrix was not associated with serious adverse events.
  • In fact, serious side effects from vaccines are extremely rare.
  • For example,
    • for every 1 million doses of a vaccine given,
    • only one or two people may have a severe allergic reaction.
  • Signs of an allergic reaction happen within minutes or hours after vaccination and include:
    • hives,
    • swelling of the face and throat,
    • difficulty breathing,
    • a fast heartbeat,
    • dizziness,
    • or weakness.
    • If you experience these or any other life-threatening symptoms, see a doctor right away.
  • Shingrix causes a strong response in your immune system,
    • so it may produce short-term side effects more intense than you are used to from other vaccines.
    • These side effects can be uncomfortable,
      • but they are expected and usually go away on their own in 2 or 3 days.

 

How Can I Pay For Shingrix?

• There are several ways shingles vaccine may be paid for:
• Medicare

• • Medicare Part D plans cover the shingles vaccine,
  • but there may be a cost to you depending on your plan.
  • There may be a copay for the vaccine,
  • or you may need to pay in full then get reimbursed for a certain amount.
• Medicare Part B does not cover the shingles vaccine.
• Medicaid
  • Medicaid may or may not cover the vaccine.
  • Contact your insurer to find out.

·       Private health insurance

• • Many private health insurance plans will cover the vaccine,
  • but there may be a cost to you depending on your plan.
  • Contact your insurer to find out.

·       Vaccine assistance programs

• • Some pharmaceutical companies provide vaccines to eligible adults who cannot afford them.
  • You may want to check with the vaccine manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, about Shingrix.

•   Regardless of the cost, I can assure you that if in the future you were to contract shingles, you would pay three times any amount to have them go away. They are brutal and can be life-altering.

Source: CDC