The FDA authorized Pfizer Inc., maker of Shingrix, to market the vaccine as an over-the-counter drug. This is great news because it means that older adults who are at risk will be able to protect themselves from getting this painful condition more easily than before!
Shingrix is a new vaccine that can prevent shingles in people aged 50 and older. It works by generating an immune response to the varicella zoster virus, which causes both chickenpox and shingles. Although shingles can affect anyone, those who have had chickenpox are at increased risk of getting it as they get older. Learn more about shingles and its symptoms by clicking here .
“Shingrix provides strong protection against a disease that can be painful and debilitating,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research in a statement . “In addition, because shingles can occur at any age, even older adults who did not have chickenpox are at risk for this painful condition.”
Today’s news is especially good for seniors since the vaccine could help prevent shingles. Older people are more likely to get shingles because their immune systems weaken as they get older. Shingles itself is a disease that causes a painful, blistering rash. It can occur on the face or body and can lead to serious complications such as blindness and stroke.
What else you should know about getting a shingles vaccine ? A single dose of Shingrix has been shown to prevent shingles in more than 90% of people aged 50 years and older.
The vaccine cannot cause shingles or chickenpox .”
Shingrix is managed in two dosages, 2 to a half year separated. Make a point to tell your PCP in the event that you have at any point had a hazardous hypersensitive response to gelatin, the anti-microbial neomycin or some other part of shingles antibodies. Vaccinees should still take their regular dose of aspirin and keep it up until 4 days after the vaccination.
The FDA is also warning physicians and pharmacists that there could be shortages of this vaccine since it has already been given to 2 million people in Europe and Australia and supplies for Shingrix are expected to be tight until 2019. They urge doctors “to closely monitor their inventories and order Shingrix as soon as it becomes available.”
The makers of this vaccine are working hard to ensure that there will be an adequate supply for everyone who needs it.”Pfizer is as of now assembling one extra assembling site at its office in North Carolina to assist meet with requesting for the antibody around the world,” as indicated by their public statement.”The association is working personally with regulatory workplaces in the United States, Europe, Japan and various countries to make Shingrix available to whatever number people who could benefit from it as would be reasonable.”
Shingrix is endorsed for use in grown-ups matured 50 years or more seasoned. It has not been evaluated in people younger than that. The safety and effectiveness of Shingrix are not known in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children.
What makes this news even more amazing for seniors is that it comes on the heels of another major breakthrough in shingles research. On July 23, 2018, the FDA approved a new drug called ” Shingrix ” to prevent shingles in adults aged 50 years or older.
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