Kiwis get rare opportunity to help protect against shingles

March 8, 2012

Kiwis get rare opportunity to help protect against shingles

New Zealanders will soon have access to a limited supply of a vaccine to help protect against shingles, despite a global shortage of the vaccine.

Shingles is a painful, unsightly viral infection that affects up to 1 in 3 people during their lives. It is difficult to treat, and in severe cases can cause a pain syndrome that may persist for months or even years.

New Zealand has, however, been fortunate to receive a limited quantity of the shingles vaccine, ZOSTAVAX®. The supplier, MSD, points out that once this supply is used up it may be up to two years before another shipment arrives in the country.

Anyone who has ever had chickenpox is at risk of contracting shingles, and risk and severity of this viral disease increases with age.

"Most GPs will have experienced the challenge of trying to help a patient cope with this debilitating condition. It is difficult to treat the pain effectively and coping with shingles can severely inhibit a patient's normal lifestyle and activities,” comments Maureen Dawson, manager, Vaccines, MSD (Merck, Sharp and Dohme New Zealand Ltd).

People aged 50+ are advised to contact their GPs to enquire about this vaccine – ZOSTAVAX is a prescription medicine, which will cost the patient around $200 per dose. Only one dose is needed.

Like all medicines there are risks and benefits of this vaccination and not everyone who is vaccinated will be protected against shingles. However, if a vaccinated person does contract shingles, the vaccine can help prevent post herpetic neuralgia (PHN), the long-lasting nerve pain that can follow shingles. ZOSTAVAX can also reduce the intensity and length of time pain from shingles will last. More information can be found at www.shingles.co.nz.

Vaccine supply is expected to arrive in late March, however advance orders are being accepted now, so people over 50 who would like to avoid the pain of shingles should talk to their doctors soon to discuss if this vaccine is appropriate for them.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE USING ZOSTAVAX (zoster vaccine, live) 0.65 mL vial for injection: ZOSTAVAX is indicated for immunisation of individuals 50 years of age or older for the prevention of herpes zoster (shingles), the prevention of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and the reduction of acute and chronic zoster-associated pain. ZOSTAVAX should not be given to patients who: have a hypersensitivity reaction or are allergic to gelatin or neomycin; have a blood disorder or low immunity, have untreated tuberculosis; are receiving immunosuppressive therapy; have a fever; are or may potentially be pregnant. Pregnancy should be avoided for 3 months following vaccination. ZOSTAVAX is not recommended for children or for nursing mothers. Common side effects are: headache and localised injection site reactions. ZOSTAVAX is a private purchase prescription only medicine that the patient will need to pay for. Price may vary across different surgeries.

Consult your doctor to see if ZOSTAVAX is right for you, a normal doctors visit fee will usually apply. If you have side effects, see your doctor, pharmacist or health professional. Marketed by: Merck Sharp & Dohme (NZ) Limited, Newmarket, Auckland. For detailed prescribing information, consult the consumer medicine information phone 0800 500 673 or refer to the Medsafe website www.medsafe.govt.nz. [MPI-ZST-1] Registered Trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA. VACC-1016005-0011 First issued March 1 2012 TAPS CH3188

What is Shingles & PHN?

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After your chickenpox blisters heal, the virus that caused them stays in your body in nerve cells. The virus may be there for many years and not cause a problem. Sometimes, though, it becomes active again. If this happens it can cause a blistering and painful rash, usually appearing on one side of your body in a specific area.

This is a sign that the virus that has been dormant in the nerve cells has reactivated

and travelled from the nerves and followed a path out to the skin. Because the nerves along the path become inflamed, shingles can be painful. Pain that lasts for months after the blisters have healed is called post herpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Patients have described PHN as burning, throbbing, stabbing, shooting and/or sharp pain. For some people this pain can be severe and long lasting.

Who is at risk of shingles & PHN?

It is estimated that 1 in 3 people will experience shingles in their lifetime and that by 85 years of age, 50% of individuals will have experienced an episode of shingles. Anyone who has ever contracted chickenpox (varicella) can experience shingles, however over two-thirds of cases occur over the age of 50, and the frequency and severity of complications increase markedly with age.

As with shingles the risk of PHN also increases with age. It is estimated that around 40,000-80,000 patients are suffering from PHN in Australia and New Zealand.

Who is ZOSTAVAX indicated for?

In adults 50 years of age or older, ZOSTAVAX is indicated for:

• Prevention of herpes zoster (shingles).
• Prevention of Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN).
• Reduction of acute and chronic shingles-associated pain.

ENDS

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