How Should You Treat Shingles
Antiviral medicines like acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir have been developed to reduce the length and severity of the illness. They are most effective when started soon after the shingles rash appears. Consequently, you should call your health care provider to explore treatment options as soon as you contract or believe you have contracted shingles.
Topical or oral pain medicines may help reduce the pain caused by shingles. Wet compresses, calamine lotion, and colloidal oatmeal baths may also help relieve itching.
Risks Of A Vaccine Reaction
- Redness, soreness, swelling, or itching at the site of the injection and headache can happen after live shingles vaccine.
Rarely, live shingles vaccine can cause rash or shingles.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
Why Is The Shingles Vaccine Recommended
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of Shingrix two to six months apart to prevent shingles and complications from the disease. The vaccine is typically administered to adults who are 50 years and older. There is no maximum age for getting Shingrix.
It is also given to those who have received a live zoster vaccine in the past.
The studies report that two doses of Shingrix will be more than 90 percent effective at preventing shingles and its complication called postherpetic neuralgia.
The vaccine protects you at least 85 percent of the time for the first four years after vaccination.
You should get Shingrix even if you have a history as follows:
- Already had shingles
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What Should You Do If You Have Shingles
These simple steps can help you reduce the severity and spread of shingles:
- Cover the rash at all times
- Do not touch or scratch the rash
- Wash hands often to prevent the spread of the virus
- Before the rash develops crusts, avoid contact with:
- pregnant women who have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it
- premature or low birth-weight infants
- people with weakened immune systems including those receiving immunosuppressive medications or undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, and people with HIV.
What Are The Side Effects Of Shingrix
Common side effects associated with Shingrix use include headache, muscle pain, tiredness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other side effects include fever, shivering, and redness, pain, and swelling at the injection site. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience serious side effects. Contact your healthcare provider for more information, as this is not a complete list of possible side effects. It is recommended that you seek medical advice before using Shingrix. You should also let your doctor know if you may be allergic to any of the active or inactive ingredients in Shingrix.
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Department Of Veterans Affairs Partners With Walgreens
Pilot Immunization Program in Florida Expands Nationwide
Through its nearly 8,200 locations nationwide, Walgreens will offer flu and other recommended vaccinations to Veterans. Pharmacists can administer vaccinations to Veterans and will leverage eHealth Exchange, through its Walgreens Cloud Electronic Health Records platform, to securely share immunization records with VA to help ensure complete patient medical records.
Vaccinations are available daily during all pharmacy hours with no appointment necessary and are subject to availability.
VA is proud to partner with Walgreens to provide needed vaccines to our nations Veterans, said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald. This partnership is a great example of how government and the private sector can work together to effectively and efficiently provide Veterans the care and benefits that they’ve earned.
“Walgreens is committed to supporting our Veterans, and we are proud to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide convenient access to vaccines,” said Walgreens President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Wasson. This is an excellent opportunity for our pharmacists to help VA educate Veterans about the importance of vaccinations, to improve immunization rates through greater access and to contribute to helping veterans get, stay and live well.
Cvs Walgreens Offer New Shingles Vaccine Called Shingrix
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Major pharmacy chains have raced to make a new shingles vaccine available nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added Shingrix to its recommended vaccinations list in January. CVS said GlaxoSmithKlines vaccine is now available in all 9,800 of its stores. Its also for sale at 8,400 Walgreens and Duane Reade locations, their parent company says.
Shingles is a painful, blistery rash. It can last two to four weeks and cause nerve pain lasting months longer. Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles later in life. About 99 percent of Americans 40 and older carry the chickenpox virus.
Their risk for shingles increase as they age.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Shingrix in October. It is only approved for adults 50 and older. The drug is almost twice as effective as the older Zostavax vaccine.
Public health professionals believe insurance coverage and widespread availability can increase vaccination rates.
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Can Shingles Be Prevented
Yes, shingles can be prevented. Recombinant zoster vaccine is currently the only vaccine authorized for the prevention of shingles and postherpetic neuralgia in the US. The CDC currently recommends Shingrix® for everyone 50 and older and adults 19 and older who have or will have weakened immune systems because of disease or therapy. Shingrix® is recommended even if youve had chickenpox or if youve received the chickenpox vaccine in the past. There is no need for blood tests to see if you had chickenpox. Even if you’ve already had shingles, you can and should get Shingrix® to prevent future outbreaks.
The vaccine is given in two doses, separated by two to six months . You should not get Shingrix® if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, if you currently have shingles, or if you are allergic to any component of the Shingrix® vaccine.
Zostavax® is a shingles vaccine that is no longer available for use in the US, as of November 18, 2020. But many people got Zostavax® before it was discontinued. The CDC recommends that if you did get Zostavax®, then you should get a Shingrix® vaccination. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best time to get the Shingrix® vaccine.
In January 2022, the CDC officially recommended that adults 19 and older who have compromised immunity should get the Shingrix® vaccine in two doses, separated by 1-2 months if they would benefit from a shorter vaccination schedule. In this case, people with immunity problems include those who:
What Is Pneumococcal Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. Pneumonia is categorized by the type of germ causing it and where you got the infection. Many different germs, including both viruses and bacteria, can cause pneumonia. One of the more common types of pneumonia in adults worldwide, pneumococcal pneumonia, is caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia include:
Fever and chills
Cough, often producing rusty-colored pus discharge
Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Confusion
Weakness
If you think you have pneumonia, seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially if you’re experiencing breathing problems, chest pain and/or confusion. These symptoms can be serious and require immediate medical attention.
Complications of pneumococcal pneumonia include a collection of pus in the lungs and inflammation of the lining surrounding the heart .
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , pneumococcal pneumonia causes about 150,000 hospitalizations each year in the US, and about 1 in 20 of those infected will die from the disease.
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Are There Oral Antiviral Medicationsto Treat Covid
The FDA has issued Emergency Use Authorization to two oral antivirals for the treatment of COVID-19: Paxlovid® and Molnupiravir . At this time, select Walgreens pharmacies will be able to dispense these COVID-19 antiviral medications as supply allows to eligible patients with a valid prescription from their healthcare provider per FDA guidelines:
- Paxlovid eligibility: 12+ years of age with a positive COVID-19 viral test who are at high risk for severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
- Molnupiravir eligibility: 18+ years of age with a positive COVID-19 viral test who are at risk for severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death, and for whom alternative FDA-authorized COVID-19 treatments options are not accessible or clinically appropriate.
For information about eligibility for COVID-19 antiviral therapy, please contact your healthcare provider or find a provider on Find Care.
Get the facts about COVID-19
You Might Think Youre Just Getting The Covid Vaccine But The Chains Rolling Them Out Are Trying To Hook A Customer For Life
Even the most cautious voices now seem to agree that weve reached a turning point in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. With three vaccines authorized, and a production deal recently brokered by the Biden administration between the pharmaceutical giants Merck and Johnson & Johnson, the available supply is ramping up. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the countrys coronavirus czar, said that vaccination may be open to all Americans by April. President Biden has set a similar marker for May.
Thats good news, particularly as optimism has felt hard to come by in the last year. Its also goodand exceedingly profitablenews for companies that are using the opportunity to gobble up valuable consumer data, recruit new customers, and sell boondoggle software to federal and local governments. The vaccine grift is on.
Big pharmacies and retailers are some of the unintended winners of the pandemic. A recent Wall Street Journalreport illustrates how companies like CVS and Walgreens are using the vaccination process to gather more information about customer behavior, tracking people from the moment they register online and while they are waiting for their shot.
Jacob Silverman is a staff writer at The New Republic and the author of Terms of Service: Social Media and the Price of Constant Connection.
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Getting Vaccinated Is The Best Way To Stay Protected Against Serious Covid
- The CDC recommends a COVID-19 vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older. The COVID-19 vaccine is available for everyone 3 and older at Walgreens
- Boosters are recommended for everyone 5+ whove completed the primary series
- , with protection against the Omicron variant, are now available and recommended for individuals 12+ who’ve completed their primary series or received their last booster dose at least 2 months prior
For additional recommendations and to see if you’re up to date visit the CDC website.
earn $10 Walgreens Cash rewards1
Walgreens Makes Shingrix Available Chainwide
approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in favor of three recommendations
- Herpes Zoster subunit vaccine is recommended for the prevention of herpes zoster and related complications for immunocompetent adults age 50 year and older
- Herpes Zoster subunit vaccine is recommended for the prevention of herpes zoster and related complication for immunocompetent adults who previously received Zoster Vaccine Live and
- Herpes Zoster subunit vaccine is preferred over Zoster Vaccine Live for the prevention of herpes zoster and related complications.
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Medicare And The Shingles Vaccine: Are You Covered
The shingles vaccine is covered through Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage as part of your prescription drug benefits. In 2022, your actual costs for the vaccine depend on the specifics of your plan.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, all vaccines will be free under Medicare Advantage or Part D including shingles. No matter your plan, you’ll pay no deductible, copay or other costs for a shingles vaccine.
In 2022, you could pay less than $50 per shingles shot with a Medicare Part D plan from Aetna or Wellcare. If you don’t have prescription drug coverage, the full price for two doses of the Shingrix vaccine is $324, and several cost-saving options can help you get Shingrix for less.
Find Cheap Medicare Plans in Your Area
Walgreens Launches Flu Vaccine Program
Walgreens is now offering flu shots for anyone aged 3 years and up.
The drugstore giant, which has also been offering in-store COVID-19 vaccinations since February 2021, is providing flu shots at nearly 9,000 store locations nationwide in an effort to help reduce the spread of vaccine-preventable illnesses in communities.
According to Walgreens, the recent spike in flu cases in the Southern Hemisphere is being regarded as a warning sign that flu activity in the U.S. could reach pre-pandemic levels during the 2022-2023 flu season. Australia is nearing the end of its worst flu season in five years, according to a report from the country’s Department of Health and Aged Care.
Walgreens is offering a $5 Walgreens Cash reward in August through December and a $10 Walgreens Cash reward during the month of September to individuals who receive any vaccination at a Walgreens location.
Flu shot appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment for a flu shot or any vaccine at Walgreens, customers can visit the Walgreens online vaccine scheduler, download the Walgreens app, or call a toll-free number. All scheduling options are available in English and Spanish.
Walgreens operates more than 9,000 retail locations across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Talk With Your Health Care Provider
Tell your vaccine provider if the person getting the vaccine:
- Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of live shingles vaccine or varicella vaccine, or has any severe, life-threatening allergies.
- Has a weakened immune system.
- Is pregnant or thinks she might be pregnant.
- Is currently experiencing an episode of shingles.
In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone shingles vaccination to a future visit.
People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting live shingles vaccine.
Your health care provider can give you more information.
Pneumonia And Shingles Vaccines
Pneumonia and shingles are both serious illnesses that can lead to further complications, needing hospital care, or even death for some people. Having certain health conditions or a weakened immune system may place a person at higher risk of either contracting the infection and/or having complications compared to people who dont have these conditions. In addition, peoples chances of having complications caused by a shingles or pneumonia infection increases as they age because the immune system declines overtime.
Until recently, only adults aged 50 years or older were advised to get vaccinated against shingles and adults aged 65 years or older for pneumonia. However, the recommendations for each of these vaccines have recently been updated. Younger people who may be vulnerable to these illnesses will now have more access to protective vaccines. Young children are also at greater risk of becoming infected with pneumonia, so it is recommended that those younger than 2 years old receive the pneumonia vaccine. It is important to follow the current recommended vaccine schedule and to stay up to date with vaccines, regardless of your age.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Thecovid
When you get a COVID-19 vaccine, you may experience temporary and minor side effects, which is completely normal in fact, this means the vaccine is working and your body is building protection.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain or soreness at injection site
Looking for more information about vaccine symptoms? Get CDC answers
Lost your COVID-19vaccine card?
How Can You Save On The Cost Of The Shingles Vaccine
These five tips can help you pay less for a shingles vaccine.
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What Is The Shingrix Vaccine
Shingrix is the U.S. Food and Drug Administrationapproved vaccine aimed to prevent shingles infection in individuals older than 50 years and adults aged 18 years and older who are or who will be at increased risk of shingles due to a disease or therapy that can compromise the immunity.
The Herpes Zoster virus is the same virus that causes chickenpox in children. The virus may remain dormant in the persons nerve roots and become active when the immunity wanes .
The reactivated virus causes shingles or Herpes Zoster, a painful condition characterized by painful red blisters over the body, rash, and/or fever.
- A particular complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia , which persists for months after the infection subsides.
- It is characterized by extreme pain at the former site of rash and lesions.
- This pain may or may not respond to strong medications hence, a vaccine against shingles is required.
The Shingrix vaccine works by exposing the body to small doses of the inactive herpes virus. This stimulates the bodys immune system and helps the body to develop an immunity to herpes zoster or shingles.