General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Public DU Service announcement to older DUers - get your damn Shingles vaccinations!!! [View all]LynneSin
(95,337 posts)what it will do is lesson the extent of the shingles should you get it.
The whole concept of these anti-viral treatments whether it's the vaccine shot or any of the anti-viral pills prescribed like the Valtrex I am taking - they are only effective if taken early during the incubation stage. (they say it's most effective 48 hours after the breakout starts). I'm right on that 48 hour border so I'm taking the pills.
But if you have the shot, which is also anti-viral, if you do still get the shingles it will impact the breakout during that incubation period and will shorted the breakout period and lesson the amount of pain and post-breakout pain associated with it.
Most of the stuff I've read was from WebMD, MayoClinic and Harvard Health and they all say the same thing about the effectiveness of the vaccine. It is NOT a cure-all but it can help lessen your chances and if it does happen reduce the breakout and pain associated with it.