Doctors urge vaccination for over-50s as global shingles cases surge

One of the most contagious viruses in nature is the one that causes shingles, according to medical experts.

The virus, which also causes chickenpox, has infected at least 90% of people by age 15 and 95% of young adults in temperate countries.

This high infection rate has led to recommendations for childhood chickenpox vaccination, which provides 70-90% protection against infection.

People who have had chickenpox, especially after age 50, risk reactivation of the dormant virus in their system, which can manifest as shingles.

The condition affects 1.2-3.4 per 1,000 people across all age groups, but this rate triples in those over 50, reaching 3.9-11.8 per 1,000 people.

Dr Theodoros Androutsakos, a pathologist and academic fellow at the University of Athens, explains that the chickenpox-shingles virus (Varicella Zoster Virus – VZV) belongs to the herpesvirus family.

The virus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets and fluid from infection-related blisters.

“One in three people risks developing shingles at some point in their life, as the virus remains dormant in the nervous system after chickenpox infection”, says Dr Androutsakos.

The condition typically presents as a band-like rash with blisters across one or more dermatomes, lasting 2-4 weeks before the blisters dry and form scabs.

More than 15% of patients may experience severe pain and paraesthesia, which can persist indefinitely in a condition known as post-herpetic neuralgia.

Particularly concerning are complications involving facial nerves, which can lead to blindness if the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve is affected, or facial paralysis if the facial nerve is involved.

The risk increases sharply after age 50 due to declining immunity. Immunocompromised patients, including cancer patients, transplant recipients, and those with autoimmune conditions receiving immunosuppressive therapy, are also at higher risk.

Treatment with antiviral medication must begin within three days of symptom onset to reduce illness duration and prevent complications.

A new inactivated recombinant vaccine (RZV) is now available in Greece, suitable for both immunocompromised patients and those aged 60 and over, requiring two doses for complete protection.

The vaccine can be administered year-round and can be given simultaneously with the flu vaccine, though a one-month gap is recommended between shingles and pneumococcal vaccinations.