Shingles: STIKO recommends vaccination
Lisa Vogel studied departmental journalism with a focus on medicine and biosciences at Ansbach University and deepened her journalistic knowledge in the master's degree in multimedia information and communication. This was followed by a traineeship in the editorial team. Since September 2020 she has been writing as a freelance journalist for
More posts by Lisa Vogel All content is checked by medical journalists.A new vaccine promises high protection against shingles - also for the elderly. It should become the standard for people aged 60 and over, recommends the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute. The aim is also to prevent painful and chronic complications.
First chickenpox, then shingles
Every year more than 300,000 people in Germany develop shingles. The painful skin disease is triggered by the varicella zoster virus.
The first contact with the virus usually takes place in childhood, who then develop chickenpox. Even after the symptoms have subsided, the viruses lie dormant in the nerve cells for life and can become active again decades later.
Painful inflammation of the nerves
If the viruses become active again, burning, red blisters appear on the skin, which are often band-like around the waist. Hence the name shingles. Because the strength of the immune system decreases with age, the risk of an outbreak increases.
Complications in the form of nerve inflammation are particularly feared. Such post-therapeutic neuralgia occurs in about five percent of the sick. Even after the skin symptoms have subsided, the patients sometimes suffer from severe nerve pain, which can persist.
Highly effective - even with the elderly
The vaccine now recommended has been available in Germany since May 2018 (houseofgoldhealthproducts reported). Unlike the live vaccine previously used, it consists of killed pathogens and also contains a new potentiator. This activates the immune system particularly well after the vaccination - the vaccination works better than previously available preparations.
In studies, the active ingredient showed a protective effect in 92 percent of the participants. People over 70 also benefit significantly: For them, the protective effect is still around 90 percent. This is remarkable, because with the weakening immune system, the activation by a vaccination is also weaker in the elderly.
Side effect: redness and swelling
Side effects of the vaccination such as pain at the injection site, redness and swelling occur in around 80 percent of those vaccinated. Fever, fatigue and muscle pain are also possible consequences. The symptoms subsided after a few days. According to the RKI, no serious side effects have been observed so far.
Apart from people over the age of 60, the STIKO recommends immunization for people with underlying diseases such as HIV, diabetes or chronic inflammatory diseases. You should be vaccinated from the age of 50. Two vaccinations with an interval of at least two and a maximum of six months are necessary for immunization. It is not yet known whether and when a refresher is necessary.
It is likely that the health insurance companies will cover the costs
The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) will decide in the next few months whether the vaccination will be a compulsory benefit of the statutory health insurances, which would then have to bear the costs. As a rule, the committee follows the recommendations of the STIKO. Anyone who would like to be vaccinated now can clarify individually with their health insurance company whether they will already cover the costs.
