What is shingles?

Shingles is caused by the herpes-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. This virus stays dormant and can reactivate later in life if you’ve had chickenpox. About one in four adults who’ve had chickenpox will develop shingles.

Risk increases with age or when the immune system is weakened (e.g., due to stress, illness or or being immunocompromised due to medication.) Shingles can be very painful and may lead to long-term nerve pain lasting months or years called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) making vaccination an important preventive step.

Why get vaccinated?

The Shingrix (the shingles vaccine) offers protection for at least 7 years reducing the risk of developing shingles with 91–97% effectiveness at preventing shingles and PHN in older adults.

It lessens the severity and duration if you do get shingles and the risk of developing any long-term nerve damage associated with the virus.

The vaccine used in Ireland is Shingrix is given in 2 doses, 2–6 months apart. For weakened immune systems, the second dose may be given sooner.

How to get vaccinated 

Visit our website www.greencrosspharmacy.ie to book 
Cost: €480 for two doses (€240 per dose)
Second dose usually given two months after the first.
Can be given year-round in our Killaloe pharmacy.

Symptoms of shingles

•    Initial pain or tingling
•    Rash with blisters that may be itchy or painful, lasting 2–4 weeks. 
•    Usually affects one side of the upper body but can appear on head, neck, or eyes.

Shingles Q&A

Who’s at risk of shingles?

Anyone who’s had chickenpox

Higher risk if you:
1.    Are aged 50+
2.    Have a weakened immune system
3.    Are ill or under significant stress

Who can get the vaccine?

•    Ages 50+
•    Ages 18–49 with increased risk
•    Those who’ve had shingles can get vaccinated if it’s been over a year
•    Leave at least 7 days between COVID-19 and shingles vaccines

Who should NOT get the vaccine?

Pregnant individuals
Breastfeeding: discuss with your doctor
Known allergy to vaccine components
Thrombocytopenia or bleeding disorders (consult pharmacist)

Is the Shingles vaccine safe?

Side-effects if experienced are usually mild and short-lived.  Severe reactions are rare and managed on-site. Patients stay in the pharmacy for 15 minutes for monitoring.

Is Shingles Contagious?

Shingles is not contagious, it cannot be caught from someone else and you cannot catch shingles from someone with it. The virus can only spread to someone who hasn’t had chickenpox and they would develop chickenpox, not shingles.

If you have any other questions about the Shingrix Shingles Vaccine call in to speak with a pharmacist at Green Cross Pharmacy, Convent Hill S/C, Killaloe, Co. Clare.