How effective is the new shingles vaccine?

Viruses are pretty clever. They can hide in the nerve roots of the human body for years. They then wait there until the immune system is weakened - and strike! The best example of this is the varicella virus. After the initial infection, it initially triggers chickenpox. If it becomes active again at a later stage, it causes shingles. This is not only unpleasant, shingles can be really dangerous! At the beginning of last year, a new vaccine against shingles was discovered. But can it really help?

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via Anna-Lisa
01/27/2017, 11:44
Was kann der neue Impfstoff gegen Gürtelrose?© iStock
New vaccine against shingles developed!

Shingles means great suffering for those affected

Reddened skin on one side of the upper body, small, conspicuous blisters that itch and scratch, swollen lymph nodes - the symptoms of shingles are extremely unpleasant for those affected. However, the unbearable pain is particularly nasty. In the worst cases, chronic nerve pain remains, for example in the face. Even the slightest touch then becomes agony.

Preventing the dangers of virus infection

Another possible consequence of the virus infection is serious complications, such as pneumonia or meningitis. Experts therefore recommend vaccination against shingles. Chickenpox protection for children and adolescents has been available since August 2004. Since the end of 2013, people over 50 have been able to be immunized against shingles. However, there is a catch: over the years, the vaccination can lose its effectiveness. There is therefore a risk that the disease will still break out.

New vaccine against shingles promises 97% effectiveness

For this reason, a new vaccine has now been developed that should provide longer protection and also appears to be highly effective. In a controlled study involving 15,411 test subjects over the age of 50, 7698 received the vaccine and 7712 placebo. Result: Within 3.2 years, 6 subjects in the vaccine group and 210 subjects in the placebo group developed herpes zoster. This corresponds to an overall effectiveness of the vaccine of 97.2 percent! These initial studies therefore seem to prove that the vaccine really works. It is not yet clear when the vaccine will be approved in Europe.

Treatment of shingles

In general, the earlier shingles is treated, the greater the chance that it will heal without any problems . This in turn reduces the risk of complications. Among other things, the doctor will then prescribe a medication that stops the virus from multiplying. As well as a preparation that specifically suppresses the transmission of pain