Shingles

The community pharmacist wears multiple hats in the daily delivery of health care to patients, one of which might be providing immunization services. Certainly, the patient who walks in for an immunization benefits from the convenience provided by the community pharmacy.

They have become more important in health care delivery yet represent a smaller portion of the bill.

The most common chronic conditions, and the biggest drivers in annual health care costs for US adults, include heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.

Herpes zoster, also known as zoster or shingles, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. After an individual has been exposed to the varicella virus through chickenpox or via vaccination, the virus remains dormant in the dorsal root ganglia.

Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, is characterized by a painful, itchy rash and blisters, often resulting in permanent neuropathic pain (postherpetic neuralgia) that can be difficult to manage.

Pharmacists are now core members of the vaccination community, playing a role in vaccine accessibility, opportunity, identification, and safety.

Prior to vaccines, immunity to a disease was acquired solely through contracting the illness.

Singrix is a recombinant vaccine indicated for the prevention of herpes zoster in older adults.

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is a painful rash caused by a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, also called the chickenpox virus.

Ingenol mebutate (Picato) gel's label must now include reported risks of shingles and anaphylaxis.

Vigilant pharmacists can help patients identify postinfection complications.

The impact of varicella-zoster virus vaccination programs on the US population is not yet clear.