The Long-Term Protection of the Shingles Vaccine

Hey guys, check this out! A recent study published in the BMJ medical research journal suggests that the shingles vaccine may still offer protection even after 10 years of getting vaccinated. The study found that while the effectiveness of the vaccine is highest in the first year after vaccination, it continues to provide some level of protection against shingles and its complications a decade later, even for people with weakened immune systems. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, and it’s more common in people aged 60 and older, as well as those with weakened immune systems. The live zoster vaccine, which was the first vaccine against shingles, has been administered to over 50 million people worldwide. To investigate the long-term effectiveness of the shingles vaccine, researchers from Kaiser Permanente in the US analysed data from 1.5 million adults aged 50. They found that the vaccine effectiveness was highest in the first year after vaccination and decreased over time. For instance, the effectiveness against herpes zoster infection was 67% in the first year, but it decreased to 50% in the second year, 27% in the eighth year, and 15% after 10 years. However, the vaccine still provided substantial protection against postherpetic neuralgia and admission to the hospital for several years, even after 10 years. The study’s authors highlighted the need for further research to evaluate the vaccine’s effectiveness over time, especially in people with chronic diseases. So, it looks like the shingles vaccine might offer long-lasting protection, but more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness over time, especially for those with underlying health conditions.