Shingles. Vaccine created problem?

[Yulia_R]

I keep hearing that shingles is a man created problem (to be more exact, chicken pox vaccine created problem). But could anyone please explain me how these two are connected?

[Deborah]

This article on chickenpox has a pretty clear explanation.

Let me know if you have additional questions.

[Spiralshell]

The Chicken Pox vaccine was introduced in the US in 1995. Shingles (herpes zoster) existed long before vaccination for chicken pox came onto the scene.

[mntnmom]

I don't know about an increased rate, but my Grandma had a horrible case of the shingles in the early 90's. She (and no one else in the house) most definitely did not get the vaccine. I agree that for the majority of folks even considering the varicella vaccine is pointless, and possibly harmful anyway though.

[Yulia_R]

Originally Posted by mntnmom

I don't know about an increased rate, but my Grandma had a horrible case of the shingles in the early 90's. She (and no one else in the house) most definitely did not get the vaccine. I agree that for the majority of folks even considering the varicella vaccine is pointless, and possibly harmful anyway though.

if you read the first link you will see that it's not about getting the vaccine per se, but rather elluminating the exposure to chicken pox which helps older people to boost their natural immunity.

[Yulia_R]

Originally Posted by Deborah

This article on chickenpox has a pretty clear explanation.

Let me know if you have additional questions.

thanks for the link, it makes much more sense now!

[nia82]

The varicella vaccine existed before the 90ies and was given to "risk groups" before it was recommended for all.
People always had shingles, even before vaccines. However, shingles rates rose especially in atypical populations after the vaccines (children and teenagers). I don't have time right now to look for the studies and stuff, but google shingles in teenies and so on... You'll see...
Chickenpox antibodies and shingles protection depend on repeated exposure as an adult... If kids are not getting it any longer, no more exposure. Also, the vaccines doesn't protect for long if at all (I had to get 4 shots thanks to immirgation and have no antibodies at all)... So that puts now teenies at risk for chickenpox instead of elementary school aged children, and CP is more severe in teenies than in kids, so the vaccine did more harm than good. Especially considering CP is very benign.

mntmmom: Is that stuff now routinely given in Germany? Nobody ever offered it to me nor my peers (born 82, first years in East Germany where vaccination was mandatory), I also never had the MMR shot til immigration to the USA. I know my sisters will skip the CP vaccine for sure.