Thursday, October 18, 2012
Media contact: Sheri Hutchinson, Public Information Officer
Office: (352) 589-6424, x 2264; Cell: (352) 516-8028
E-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The Lake County Health Department offers shingles vaccine
Lake County – According to the CDC, an estimated one million cases of shingles occurs each year in the United States. Shingles is a painful localized skin rash often with blisters caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles, even children can get shingles, because VZV remains in the nerve cells of the body after the chickenpox infection clears and VZV can return later causing shingles. Shingles most commonly occurs in people 50 years old or older, people who have medical conditions that keep the immune system from working properly or people who receive drugs that may weaken the immune system. The only way to reduce the risk of developing shingles and the long-term pain that can follow shingles is to get vaccinated.
Approximately one-third of the US population will get shingles and even if you have had shingles, you can still receive the shingles vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the one-time vaccination to reduce the risk of shingles and its associated pain in people 60 years old or older.
Some people should not get shingles vaccine.
- A person who has had a life-threatening or severe allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or any other component of shingles vaccine. Tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies.
- A person who has a weakened immune system because of
- HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system
- treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids
- cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy
- a history of cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, such as leukemia or lymphoma
- Women who are or might be pregnant
For more information regarding the vaccine or to schedule an appointment contact one of the following Health Center locations:
Umatilla Health Center Leesburg Health Center Clermont Health Center
249 E. Collins St, Umatilla 2113 W. Griffin Rd., Leesburg 875 Oakley Seaver Dr., Clermont
352-771-5500 352-360-6548 352-989-9001
###
