For Immediate Release
June 27 , 2008
CDC recommends shingles vaccine for Americans 60 and older
National Problem
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommend that Americans 60 and older should be vaccinated against shingles. Shingles is an infection that causes a painful, blistering rash. Even though the rash gets better or goes away in a few weeks, the pain may last longer. About 1 in 5 people experience this condition known as postherpetic neuralgia. Other problems may include hearing loss or a brief paralysis of the face. In a small number of cases, swelling of the brain (encephalitis) can also occur. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays in the body and can reappear as shingles later in life. The incidence of shingles increases with age. In fact, half of all shingles cases are in persons age 60 and older. A person who is suffering from a disease that damages the immune system, or who is taking anticancer drugs that suppress the immune system, is also a prime candidate for an attack of shingles. Even among healthy individuals, temporary depression of the immune system because of stress, a cold, and even sunburn may be associated with an attack of shingles.
Local Perspective
Geisinger Health Plan and Geisinger Gold provide coverage for the shingles vaccine for members 60 and older. GHP can provide a physician or pharmacist to discuss shingles including risk factors, benefits of being vaccinated, and symptoms and complications of shingles.
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For more information, please contact
Lisa Hartman, Director of Group and Brand Marketing, (570) 271-8135, Email: ldhartman@thehealthplan.com