New, safer vaccine for shingles

[erash]

Coming soon, Shingrix by Glaxo has much greater efficacy and is a recombinant rather rather than live attenuated vaccine like Zostavax, so fewer risks for MS or MS-ers on an immunosuppressant DMT.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

So someone like me on Copaxon can consider talking to my Neuro about it erash ?☺

🌠

[erash in reply to Jesmcd2]

It's not available quite yet, but yes it would be something any of us could consider with our neuro' some approval.

[Karen-x in reply to Jesmcd2]

Since copaxone is not an immunosuppression med, you can use the existing shingles vaccines in use. But talk to your neuro. Mine told me he wanted me to have it.

[erash in reply to Karen-x]

Karen-x

Yes, some say the current shingles vaccine is ok. At least for those not on immunosuppressing DMTs.

However, the difference in effectiveness (prevention of shingles) is between 50 and 60% for the old and between 90 and 95% for the new (Reportedly).

So if you received the previous vaccine I'm not sure what the recommendations are regarding revaccination?

[Karen-x in reply to erash]

Wow, I haven't yet. Any timeframe guess on the new one?

[erash]

starlight5 no, copaxone is not an immunosuppresant

[erash]

Its in phase 3 clinical trials so may be awhile. Which I guess means you have to hope no shingles in the interim. It is 2 shots rather than 1 (current vaccine) but they are seriously debating whether a booster of the current vaccine is needed due to waning efficacy.

Here's the link: medscape.com/viewarticle/86...

I never was a big advocate of Zostavax for my older patients due to it's mediocre effectiveness that was much reduced after age 70. Of course any percent reduced risk may be worthwhile when considering the pain and debility of post herpetic neuralgia.

[Cunning100]

This is good news...I had heard perhaps mistakenly that anyone with MS should not have the shingles vaccine because it was a live virus and we had a compromised immune system regardless of the disease modifying drugs

My mother suffered from shingles and I saw firsthand how debilitating it could be and I could not imagine going through that along with my MS so this is very good news and I plan on bringing it to my Neurologist for his input thanks so much for the Post

[greaterexp]

Great news! Thanks for posting! You're always up on the latest news!