The Extremadura Health Service (SES) has administered during the month of January 202 doses of the herpes zosper vaccinewhich for the first time has been included in the lifelong vaccination schedule for people of 65 years systemically.
Until this year, this vaccine, trade name Shingrix was indicated and recommended (but not included in the calendar) for people over 18 years of age with certain pathologies: transplant recipients of both solid and hematopoietic organs, people with malignant blood diseases, people with HIV, people being treated with anti-JAK drugs, and people undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
In fact, during the year 2022 the Extremadura Health Service administered 732 doses (Two doses are necessary with a minimum interval of six months to achieve a correct immunization) to users with any of these indications. And for them it continues to be indicated and recommended even though it has now also been included in the vaccination schedule for the 65-year-old group. Although that is the indicated age, the idea of the SES is to progressively capture people in the age groups between 66 and 80 who are not immunized, starting with the oldest.
Herpes zoster (HZ) it is a very prevalent disease, with a higher incidence from the age of 50 and in women, increasing with age and, considerably, with the presence of immunosuppression and certain risk conditions. It is a disease that is produced by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV). More than 90% of adults have been infected with VZV and can therefore develop shingles. It is estimated that the risk is around 30% throughout life, being able to reach 50% in people aged 85 or over. The first symptoms are usually itching, tingling, and intense burning or shooting pain in the area of the skin where the varicella zoster virus has been dormant. After a few days a rash appears that is accompanied by pain and lasts between 2 and 4 weeks.
