Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
At what age should you get the shingles vaccination ?
I believe it's approved under insurance for those over 50 years old, but having it at 33, I'm considering getting it at a younger age and paying out of pocket.
When I got shingles last year, I did some research and found that we're in a sweet spot where everyone that was born after 1995 got the chicken pox vaccine, so they won't get chicken pox, and thus can never get shingles. However, those that are younger than 50 years old right now (born after 1967), aren't eligible for the vaccine. In addition, since the kids are vaccinated from birth, there are fewer and fewer people carrying the varicella virus, so we don't develop any regular natural defenses. Their computer models show that there will be an increase of shingles occurrences in the short term.
Anyway, my suggesting is, if you've never had chicken pox and were born before 1995, get tested and if possible, get the chicken pox vaccine. If you're over 50, get your shingles vaccine. If you currently have shingles, get Valtrex.
I feel like an old man saying this, but kids these days, don't even know how good they have it!