To reserve your vaccine and for more information on Shingles or the new vaccine, please call VNA at (314) 918-7171, Ext. 1245. Certain restrictions apply.

Who can get ZOSTAVAX? (Check with your physician)

If you've had chickenpox (and more than 90% of adults in America have) or have had the chickenpox vaccine.
If you are 60 years of age or older.

How is ZOSTAVAX given?

It is given as a single dose by injection under the skin.

What is ZOSTAVAX and how does it work?

ZOSTAVAX is a vaccine used for adults age 60 years and older to protect against shingles (also known as zoster).
ZOSTAVAX works by helping the immune system to protect against shingles and the associated pain and other serious complications. Even if an individual gets shingles after getting vaccinated, ZOSTAVAX can help prevent the nerve pain that can follow shingles in some people.
As with any vaccine, ZOSTAVAX may not protect everyone who received the vaccine. ZOSTAVAX cannot be used to treat shingles once you have it.

What do I need to know about shingles and the virus that causes it?

The first signs are often felt and may not be seen. These include, itching, tingling and burning. A few days later a rash of fluid-filled blisters appear (usually on one side of the body or face). The blisters may take 2-4 weeks to heal.

Shingles can be painful and cause serious problems
For most people, the pain from the Shingles rash lessens as it heals. After the rash heals, however, Shingles may lead to pain that lasts for months or even years in some people. This long-term nerve pain, called postherpetic neuralgia or PHN, occurs because the virus that causes Shingles may damage certain nerves. The pain can vary from burning and throbbing to stabbing and shooting.
For many people with long-term nerve pain, even the touch of soft clothing against the skin can be painful.
Other serious problems that may result from Shingles include skin infection, muscle weakness, scarring and decrease or loss of vision or hearing.

The Age Factor: The older you get, the more you're at risk for Shingles.

This is because your body can't defend itself against the virus that causes Shingles as well as it could when you were younger. About half of nearly 1 million Shingles cases in the US each year occur in people 60 years and older.

1 out of 2 people who live to age 85 will have Shingles.
The older you get, the longer the Shingles rash may last.

The older you get, the more you're at risk for long-term nerve pain. Long-term nerve pain hurts more and lasts longer in older adults.

Who should not get ZOSTAVAX?

You should not get the vaccine if you...

Are allergic to the vaccine, or have had a severe reaction to gelatin or neomycin.
Have a disease or condition that weakens the immune system, such as leukemia, HIV/AIDS or are taking high dose steroids by injection or mouth.
Have active TB (tuberculosis) that is not being treated.
Although rare, not pregnant.

For more information about ZOSTAVAX, talk to your health care provider or visit the website:

www.ZOSTAVAX.com

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