Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Speaking of Shingles Vaccine, yeah or ney??
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Old 04-09-2012, 03:47 PM
JohnStansbury JohnStansbury is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mgm4444 View Post
Is the shot "good for life" - or do you have to get it every couple of years?
As a recently retired dermatologist I highly advise anyone over about 55 years of age who has not had shingles to be vaccinated for it. Absolutely no question about that. The disease is more likely to be severe in older age groups. There are authoritative recommendations that people who have already had shingles should also be vaccinated, but I haven't pushed that nearly as hard. As far as "remembering having had chicken pox", or NOT remembering it, that disease is highly communicable and could easily have occurred before age 4, and I recommend that everyone proceed as if he or she has had chicken pox. In answer to the specific question above, regarding the need for a second vaccination, I do not at this time plan to obtain a second vaccination.