The shingles vaccine can be especially important for older adults. The vaccine blocks the development of painful rashes all over your body. It also has been found to reduce your risk of stroke, heart attack and dementia, reports Daryl Austin for National Geographic.
You do not want to get shingles. It’s a bad infection. The pain is harsh, persistent and ugly. And, it can last many months.
But, you don’t have to worry about getting shingles. The shingles vaccine–Shingrix–works. Older adults get two doses. And, it prevents shingles in almost all cases. Unfortunately, fewer than one in five adults have had it, even though Medicare covers the cost of the shingles vaccine in full.
The shingles vaccine is also important because shingles can damage your liver and lungs. You can get bad headaches, chills, fever. And, shingles can cause loss of vision and hearing as well as protracted nerve pain. Moreover, shingles increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Based on a collection of studies, the shingles vaccine appears to lower your risk of stroke by 16 percent, your risk of heart attack by 18 percent, as well as your risk of dementia. That said, more research is needed to understand the many benefits of the vaccine.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Ask your doctor about vaccines you need
- Get the preventive care you need: Medicare pays for it
- Get your shingles vaccine
- Get your Covid vaccine: Reduce your risk of long Covid
- Get your flu shot!
