In 2016, research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology used mathematical modeling to look into the epidemiology of shingles after chickenpox vaccination. Researchers explained:
“Given the sparse empirical evidence, mathematical models designed to evaluate the impact of varicella immunization strategies are forced to rely on theoretical, rather than data driven, assumptions to incorporate exogenous boosting assumptions while balancing parsimony in model structure with biological plausibility.
To date, the available formulations of the exogenous boosting hypothesis can be classified into 3 main groups: Despite these structural differences, modeling studies have consistently confirmed the likelihood of a detrimental effect of varicella vaccination on HZ incidence.”
The study analyzed the impact of chickenpox vaccination on shingles epidemiology, as predicted by three models, which revealed that all of the models predicted that chickenpox vaccination lead to an increase in shingles incidence. “Our results reinforce the idea that a better understanding of HZ pathogenesis is required before further mass varicella immunization programs are set out,” the researchers stated.
Related Article:
In 2005, research by Gary Goldman, PhD also revealed that the chickenpox vaccine could cause a shingles epidemic by limiting wild-type chickenpox virus. He noted, “It may be difficult to design booster interventions that are cost-effective and meet or exceed the level of protection provided by immunologic boosting that existed naturally in the community in the prelicensure era.”
In other words, you can’t beat Mother Nature, which already had a system in place to keep shingles at bay. In fact, in 2002, research writing in the journal Vaccine presented data confirming that exposure to chickenpox boosts immunity to shingles.
“We show that exposure to varicella is greater in adults living with children and that this exposure is highly protective against zoster [singles],” they wrote, adding that this had serious implications for mass vaccination against chickenpox: “Mass varicella vaccination is expected to cause a major epidemic of herpes-zoster, affecting more than 50% of those aged 10-44 years at the introduction of vaccination.”
Are There Risks to the Chickenpox Vaccine?
All vaccinations come with risks, and the chickenpox vaccine is no exception. “Reported complications from chickenpox vaccine,” according to NVIC, “include shock, seizures, brain inflammation (encephalitis), thrombocytopenia (blood disorder), Guillian Barre syndrome, death and infection with vaccine strain chickenpox or transmission of vaccine strain chickenpox to others.”
There are two live virus vaccine for chickenpox in the U.S. (both made by Merck). Varivax contains only chickenpox while ProQuad contains chickenox along with measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. NVIC reported, “A CDC vaccine safety study found that children aged 12-23 months were twice as likely to experience febrile seizures with ProQuad compared to administering MMR and Varivax separately.”
Perhaps the greatest risk of all of the chickenpox vaccine is that it removes the chance for a person to acquire life-long immunity against chickenpox via natural infection and recovery. Ultimately, the temporary immunity offered via chickenpox vaccination may leave those vaccinated at a heightened risk of more serious disease.
This was a major reason why NVIC did not support the addition of chickenpox vaccine to the mandatory childhood vaccination schedule:
“The vast majority of children recover from chickenpox disease and do not suffer complications. They are left with a qualitatively superior immunity to the disease. The chickenpox vaccine only gives temporary immunity and leaves older children and adults vulnerable to chickenpox later in life when complications can be much more serious.
Mass use of the chickenpox vaccine by children has eliminated the opportunity for natural asymptomatic boosting of immunity in adults and left adults vulnerable to shingles later in life.”
Dr. Paul Alexander: COVID-19 vaccines are causing so much re-infections and infection that the pathogen is now being delivered through these vaccines
Varicella-Zoster Reactivation after COVID-19 Illness versus SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination
The larger Ongoing Threat is COVID-19 Vaccination
Who shouldn’t get the shingles vaccine?
There are a couple of factors to consider before getting the shingles vaccine:
Allergies
The shingles vaccine contains ingredients that can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Avoid the Shingrix vaccine if you:
- have had a severe reaction to the first dose of the Shingrix vaccine
- have had a severe allergy to one of the components of the Shingrix vaccine
- have shingles currently
- are currently breastfeeding or pregnant
- received a negative test result for the varicella zoster virus
If a person tests negative for the virus, they should get the chickenpox vaccine instead.
Fever
If you have a minor viral illness (like a common cold), you can still get the Shingrix vaccine. But if you have a temperature higher than 101.3°F (38.5°C), wait to get the Shingrix vaccine.
Weakened immune system
People with an immune system weaker than normal do need to be careful. In very rare cases, people who have a weakened immune system have gotten sick from the varicella zoster virus contained in the vaccine.
Talk with your doctor if you suspect that you have a weakened immune system.
Shingles vaccine side effects
Mild side effects
Doctors have tested the shingles vaccine on thousands of people to ensure its efficacy and safety. Most of the time, the vaccine is safely administered without any side effects.
But some people can experience side effects from the Shingrix vaccine, like:
- muscle pain
- headache
- fever
- stomach pain
- nausea
These side effects may last between 2 and 3 days after receiving the vaccine.
People have also reported injection-site side effects that include:
- redness
- swelling
- itching
- soreness
If you do experience side effects after receiving the shingles vaccine, you can take an over-the-counter pain medication in most cases to reduce your symptoms.
Serious side effects
In very rare cases, people have developed a severe allergic reaction to the shingles vaccine. This reaction is called anaphylaxis.
Signs of anaphylaxis include:
- swelling of the face (including the throat, mouth, and eyes)
- hives
- warmth or redness of the skin
- trouble breathing or wheezing
- dizziness
- irregular heartbeat
- rapid pulse
If you have any of these symptoms after getting the shingles vaccine, seek medical help right away. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening.
If you or a loved one do experience severe side effects, contact the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System at 800-822-7967.
Does the shingles vaccine contain thimerosal?
You may be concerned about additives to the shingles vaccine, like thimerosal.
Thimerosal is a preservative that contains mercury. It’s added to some vaccines to prevent bacteria and other germs from growing in them. The shingles vaccine contains thimerosal.
The worry about thimerosal arose when early research linked it to autism. This connection has since been found to be untrue.
6 Natural Treatments for Shingles
1. Healing baths
Daily cleansing of the blisters reduces the risk of spreading the infection. Take a cool bath or shower to soothe skin. The coolness of the water can ease pain from shingles blisters and calm itchiness.
You can also take a healing bath to reduce symptoms. Pour 1 to 2 cups of colloidal oatmeal or cornstarch into lukewarm bathwater and soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not use hot water. Hot water can worsen shingles blisters because heat increases blood flow.
Dry your body completely and then wash your towel to avoid spreading the virus to others.
2. Wet, cool compress
In addition to taking a bath to relieve pain and itchiness associated with a shingles rash, apply a cool, moist compress. Do this several times throughout the day to relieve symptoms. Soak a cloth in cool water, wring out the water, and apply the cloth to the rash and blisters.
The coolness of the compress can reduce pain. Repeat the process as often as you need. Do not apply an ice pack to the rash. The coldness may increase skin sensitivity and worsen pain.
3. Baking soda and cornstarch paste
Create a paste using cornstarch or baking soda and water to naturally relieve itching caused by a shingles rash.
Pour two parts cornstarch or baking soda into a cup. Add one part water to get the desired consistency for the paste. Apply the mixture to your rash. Rinse it off after 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat several times a day as needed.
4. Soothing lotions and creams
Scratching a shingles rash can cause scarring and prolong blisters. If itching doesn’t improve after a healing bath, a cool compress, or a baking soda or cornstarch mixture, use soothing lotions and creams.
Lotions and creams don’t speed up the healing process, but they can increase your comfort level. Avoid scented or perfumed lotions. They can cause further irritation.
Use lotions and creams sparingly. Heavy application can keep sores from drying out and lengthen the healing process. For the same reasons, don’t use antibiotic ointments on the sores.
If you decide to use creams or lotions, it would be more effective if you applied one containing the natural ingredient capsaicin, up to three or four times per day. This is the active ingredient in chili peppers.
Capsaicin has an anti-inflammatory effect to help ease pain. Pain may increase after initially applying the cream, but it’ll slowly go away. This cream works by reducing pain signals sent to your brain.
Additionally, you can apply calamine lotion after baths and showers to soothe irritated skin and help dry out blisters.
5. Dietary remedies
A weakened immune system worsens shingles. Some dietary changes can strengthen your immune system and prevent shingles from spreading to other parts of your body. Take steps to boost the function of your immune system by eating certain foods and avoiding others.
A shingles diet consists of foods with vitamins A, B-12, C, and E, and the amino acid lysine. Foods that promote healing include:
- orange and yellow fruits
- leafy green vegetables
- red
meat - eggs
- chicken
- wild-caught fish
- dairy
- whole
grains - legumes
- beans
- tomatoes
- spinach
As you heal and cope with the effects of shingles, you might crave comfort foods. However, you should avoid certain foods if you have shingles. Foods to avoid include:
- food and juices with high amounts of sugar
- arginine-rich foods (including chocolate,
gelatin, and nuts) - refined
carbohydrates - foods high in saturated
fat
Eating too much of these foods can weaken the immune system and potentially prolong the virus. Foods with high levels of arginine can even cause the virus to reproduce
6. Herbal remedies
You might consider homeopathic remedies along with conventional therapy to help with your shingles symptoms. Homeopathy is an alternative medicine that embraces the approach of allowing the body to heal itself.
Currently, there’s little scientific evidence that supports the use of homeopathic medicine as a treatment for any condition. Additionally, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the safety or efficacy of any homeopathic remedies.
If you’re considering using any homeopathic remedies, be sure to talk to your doctor first.
Some supplements and herbal medicines may also help your body fight the virus, and treat insomnia and anxiety due to shingles. These include:
- melatonin
- St.
John’s Wort - oregano oil
- Echinacea
- lemon balm
- green
tea - essential
fatty acids
Insights into COVID-19 and Its Vaccine
Source: The Vaccine Reaction, Healthline, Twitter, Petermcculloughmd, Wikipedia, The Vaccine Reaction (Image)
Also Read: