Shingles vaccine efficiency varies with age - CBC.ca

A tiles vaccine marketing campaign encourages images to prevent a scratchy, extreme allergy and continual pain in seniors, but it may well not provide the entire picture. Tiles does occur once the zoster virus that creates chicken pox resurfaces with age. Merck's TELEVISION advertising for Zostavax says it's advised to avoid tiles in people age 50 or older. The viral flare-up is described as flashes smoking cigarettes throughout the hip and chest. CBC News questioned Dr. Shelly McNeil at the Canadian Center for Vaccinology in Halifax to investigate the manufacturer's claims. A limitation of giving the vaccine for individuals in their 50s is that might be too early, mentioned McNeil, a of medicine at Dalhousie University and a member of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). "We understand that it continues out to about five years for certain, but my main risk of course is likely to be when I am 70, 80, 90," McNeil said. "The earlier we give it, the higher the opportunity perhaps that it may well not be working by the full time you're at your highest period of risk." Medical practioners have to decide what age of patients they must provide vaccine to, trained with costs about $200 and isn't included in provincial medical health insurance programs. Anyone trying to determine also looks a paradox: advancing age escalates the possibility of finding tiles itself however the efficiency of the vaccine also decreases with age. In line with the drug company's own research: The national advisory committee's recommendations for the vaccine include: McNeil directed to the real problem of long-term pain problem that will happen in around half of those over the age of 70. It's devastating, very difficult and high priced to take care of. That is why McNeil thinks Zostavax works well enough for provincial health plans to implement a funded vaccination program. She is learning a version of the vaccine containing a weakened kind of the virus for people whose immune systems don't work usually, such as people with organ transplants or cancer. Ralph Borelli, 61, knows how unpleasant shingles is. In 35 years on the job, Borelli said he'd not missed each day of work. That has been until The holidays are, when he can no further walk, lay down or stand up from the rash on his hip, leg and foot. "What I will let you know is that it's been the most unpleasant experience I've actually had," said Borelli, likening it to an electric shock heading down his leg a times a day. He's still getting pain 8 weeks later. "If it prevents the pain, it is worth it," Borelli said. He is about to ask his doctor for the vaccination to avoid experiencing it again.

Link: Plan HAVISA: healthy messages in television advertising