Shingles Vaccine

One of the most exciting vaccines to come out for the senior population in the last few years is the Shingles vaccine, Zostavax.

Shingles is a disease caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have had chickenpox, the chickenpox virus remains inactive in your body in certain nerves. If the virus does become active again, usually later in life, it causes Shingles. This disease will affect one out of every two people over the age of 85. ZOSTAVAX is used to prevent Shingles in adults 60 years of age or older. Once you reach age 60, the sooner you get vaccinated, the better your chances of protecting yourself from Shingles. ZOSTAVAX is given as a single shot. ZOSTAVAX cannot be used to treat Shingles once you have it.

ZOSTAVAX is contraindicated in persons with a history of anaphylactic/
anaphylactoid reaction to gelatin, neomycin, or any other component of the vaccine; with a history of primary or acquired immunodeficiency states including leukemia; lymphomas of any type, or other malignant neoplasms affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system; or with AIDS or other clinical manifestations of infection with human immunodeficiency viruses. ZOSTAVAX is a live attenuated varicella-zoster vaccine and administration may result in disseminated disease in individuals who are immunosuppressed. ZOSTAVAX is also contraindicated in persons on immunosuppressive therapy.

You need a prescription from your physician to receive this vaccine, and even then they may not offer to give you it. The vaccine must be frozen at a very specific, and cold, temperature and most physicians cant maintain the vaccine effectively. After 20 minutes of being at room temp the vaccine is not effective. Also, physicians cannot bill for this vaccine like most others, so they end up charging a fee (ranging from $225-$350) .

Our company has found ways to overcome these challenges, and is now one of the largest providers in New Jersey for Zostavax. Visit ESI Medical at www.esimedical.com