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The Greater Good Movie

a documentary film about vaccines in America

What’s the scoop on the shingles vaccine?

January 21, 2013,

Recently we’ve received many questions about whether to get the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine. As always, the issue is not as black and white as some would have us believe, so here we discuss what you may not read in the mainstream about the shingles vaccine.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anyone over the age of 60 receive the shingles vaccine manufactured by vaccine giant Merck. CDC also says that the shingles vaccine is only 51% effective in all those over 60 years of age but this effectiveness, or efficacy, falls to 38% in those over 70.1

So what are the facts around the shingles vaccine?

1) The shingles vaccine is essentially a souped up chicken pox vaccine. The shingles vaccine is made using the same strain of weakened chicken pox used in the pediatric chicken pox vaccine but the shingles vaccine contains at least 14 times as much chicken pox antigen.2

2) Shingles is a live virus vaccine and transmission of shingles from vaccine recipients to susceptible individuals has been documented.3

3) Shingles vaccine contains: aborted fetal tissue, pig gelatin, MSG, bovine calf serum, antibiotics, and more.4

4) Adverse reactions to shingles vaccine include: headache, anaphylaxis, pain in the extremities, pain, erythema (redness of the skin), pruritus (itching), swelling, and  chicken pox-like rash at injection site5. In one studied mentioned on the package insert, these reactions were not infrequent with 53.9% of the vaccine group reporting pain, 48.1% reporting erythema, and 40% reporting swelling.6

5) Any immunity induced by the vaccine is not permanent. According to CDC research shows the vaccine lasts 6 years.7

6) Merck and CDC both claim that the vaccine is 51% effective, i.e. that the vaccine reduces an individual’s risk of contracting shingles by 50%. While that 50% reduction sounds impressive, how do they arrive at that figure? The study looked at 19, 254 patients and found that 642 (3.3%)of the placebo or control group developed shingles whereas only 315 (1.6%) of the vaccinated group developed shingles. So while it is true that 1.6% is indeed half or 51% less than 3.3% a more telling way to interpret the numbers would be according to absolute risk. If you aren’t vaccinated for shingles your risk of contracting shingles in the study was 3.3% and the risk of developing shingles in the vaccinated groups was 1.6%. The improvement in risk of developing shingles  from being vaccinated is therefore only 1.7% (3.3%-1.6%)!8 Not quite so impressive as the 50% reduction claimed!

7) The biggest concern with shingles is the post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) or nerve pain that can persist after one has developed shingles. This can be very painful and very debilitating so it is understandable that folks would want to protect against PNH but what do the data say on this front? Merck claims that the vaccine reduces one’s risk of developing PNH by 35%. That said, in the data reported on the package insert, Merck reports that 80 of the control group developed PNH whereas 27 of the vaccinated group developed PNH out of a total of 19,254 patients. So .415% of the control group developed PNH compared to .14% of the vaccinated group and yes .14% is 34% less than .415% but the absolute chances of developing PNH are improved only .275% by being vaccinated. That doesn’t seem very effective to me. Can you imagine being charged for a car repair that only improved your chances of getting back on the road by .275%? I don’t think that car mechanic would be in business for very long!

As always, vaccine choices are personal choices so we aim to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed choice for yourself. You can read more about this and other issues in our Catalogue of Science.

Filed Under: News & Views Tagged With: adverse reactions, allergies, antibodies, asthma, autoimmune, autoimmunity, CDC, death, efficacy, FDA, inflammation, informed consent, Merck, science, shingles, the greater good, vaccination, vaccine

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Comments

  1. Twyla says

    January 21, 2013 at 11:46 AM

    If you hear that the vaccine is 51% effective that sounds kind of good, especially if you believe that it’s safe so you think, “Hey, might as well get it!”

    But if you think about it in these terms it doesn’t sound as good:

    Without the vaccine 96.7% of people won’t get shingles.
    With the vaccine 98.4% of people won’t get shingles.

    Without the vaccine 99.6% of people won’t get PHN.
    With the vaccine 99.9% of people won’t get PHN.

    That doesn’t seem as impressive. And a little skepticism about the tracking/reporting/understanding of adverse reactions to vaccines tips the risk/benefit balance a little further towards questioning this vaccine’s usefulness.

    Although as the chicken pox vax continues to reduce our natural exposures the shingles rate may continue to increase.

    • The Greater Good says

      January 22, 2013 at 4:54 PM

      Not only will the shingles rate continue to increase, a development predicted by several researchers Brisson et al, but it is more dangerous and results in more deaths than chicken pox did. So we have exchanged a pretty benign childhood disease for a much more problematic one in old age. But at the same time vaccine maker Merck makes off twice with a vaccine for children and then a vaccine for adults that was never needed before.

    • Twyla says

      January 22, 2013 at 7:36 PM

      I was thinking that actually those 96% to 99% numbers are for the percentage of people who did not come down with shingles during the study period – not over the course of years. So the rate might be lower over the course of a few years.

  2. Marilyn says

    January 21, 2013 at 3:41 PM

    If you catch shingles early isn’t there a medication that speeds recovery?

  3. SK says

    January 2, 2014 at 10:03 AM

    The shingles vaccine gave me shingles:
    I had the singles vaccine (shot) at my doctors office on Tuesday morning Dec. 24, 2013. During the night of Dec. 29 ( 5 days later) I woke with itching on my torso and then went back to sleep. The next morning Dec. 30 I noticed a large area of blotchy raised red rash across my right front torso and across my right back almost to the spine. I called my doctor and was given an appointment that afternoon. The Doctor was shocked. He said I had shingles. He prescribed 7 days 3x daily of Valacyclovir 1GM tablets. He thinks since we got on top of it so early that it should last only about 2weeks. – Dec. 31 effected area has increases and much of area is now blistered – Jan 1, 2014 now I have a low grade fever and have been keeping calamine lotion on the rash & blisters. I have also been having a ear ache in my right ear ( I hope this is not related to the shingles).

    I had been thinking about getting the vaccine for many years, and now that I did – the vaccine gave me singles!!!! I’m praying this isn’t the start of bigger problems singles can cause. I’m worried and concerned, but hoping for the best. (I am 65 yr. old female who is good health and take no prescription medicine).

Trackbacks

  1. Links of the week 1 February 2013 says:
    May 20, 2013 at 1:53 AM

    […] A shingles vaccine https://greatergoodmov.wpengine.com/news-views/whats-the-scoop-on-the-shingles-vaccine/ Food safety in emergencies […]

  2. Trying to Move On, The Worst Part of Our Chicago Trip, Olive Oil SALE, Pick YOUR Fav Kitchen, and More in Today's Monday Morning Mix-Up 8/4/2014 - Kelly the Kitchen Kop says:
    April 20, 2015 at 4:42 PM

    […] Want the real scoop on the shingles vaccine?  Click here to read what The Greater Good has to say. […]

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Reviews

THE GREATER GOOD may be the most important vaccine film ever made. Finally, we hear the stories of families adversely affected by vaccines told in a compelling and compassionate way. Using film as a medium for social change, THE GREATER GOOD informs, educates and calls to action. It is documentary film at its finest.
Peggy O'Mara
THE GREATER GOOD documentary provides real insights about the polarizing vaccine debate. The one size fits all, cradle to grave approach regarding vaccines is a short sighted crusade coordinated by the government and pharmaceutical companies. If we have learned anything regarding medical treatments, it’s that informed consent be the only mandatory requirement.
Dr. Joe Mercola
This film captures the essence of the vaccine debate: The benefits of vaccines for individuals as well as for society versus the very small but very real risks of a severe vaccine reaction. Everyone involved in the vaccine issue, from doctors and policymakers to every new parent, must see THE GREATER GOOD
Dr. Bob Sears
Vaccines: It is such an interesting topic, I’ve never experienced such a polarizing force in conversations or relationships.
Tony Edwards
THE GREATER GOOD is a truly important film, one that finally addresses the nuances of the great vaccine debate of our times. It is a moving and inspiring work that should be required viewing for health care practitioners and families interested in open and honest dialogue about immunizations and public health.
Dr. Larry Rosen
Electrifying.
Jessica
There are severe consequences due to our current vaccine policy and schedule, many of which are simply dismissed as coincidence or diagnosed improperly. These damages cannot be swept under the rug, and THE GREATER GOOD documentary highlights several powerful personal stories of vaccine tragedies to bring increased awareness to this important issue.
Dr. Joe Mercola
There are many physicians who are witnessing an increasing number of children with complex inflammatory & autoimmune conditions, and are beginning to suspect that vaccines may be playing more of a contributing role in the development of these conditions, than what they were previously led to believe. Nonetheless, these physicians don’t have a safe forum in which they can discuss their concerns. This film, “THE GREATER GOOD,” may be the appropriate medium through which physicians can begin to open up the next phase of dialogue about their growing concerns of vaccine safety & efficacy.
Dr. Larry Palevsky
Wow. I was so riveted. The family stories were so heart wrenching. It was so well done. I hope this film is watched by many parents.
Dr. Bob Sears

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Leslie Manookian

Leslie Manookian
Writer / Producer

Kendall Nelson

Kendal Nelson
Director / Producer

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