Source: Atlantic Health Partners
Each year, it’s estimated that millions of Americans are affected by shingles, and one in three Americans will have shingles in their lifetime according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2006, the first shingles vaccine, Zostavax, was approved for use and was more recently replaced by Shingrix as the CDC-recommended vaccine for adults 50 years of age and older.
Despite the prevalence of shingles and development of Shingrix, the CDC reports that only 33.4% of adults 60 years and older have received the shingles vaccine. A CDC study also found that coverage among adults aged 50 to 59 is only around 6%. These low rates of vaccination uptake and age disparities may be attributed to low rates of adult vaccination overall, a misunderstanding of who should receive the vaccine, or lack of awareness of available preventions. The current health risks associated with COVID-19 further emphasize the need for patients to utilize all preventative measures available, including vaccines, to maintain their overall wellbeing.
By educating patients on the effects of shingles and who needs the vaccine, physicians can improve shingles vaccine uptake. Many opportunities exist for physicians to engage patients in a dialogue about the shingles vaccine, including during a scheduled well visit or when patients receive their influenza vaccination in the fall. By making it a regular practice to discuss and recommend the shingles vaccine, physicians can ensure their patients are protected against this painful virus.
About Atlantic Health Partners
Atlantic is the nation’s leading vaccine buying group offering you the most favorable prices for a wide range of vaccines from. For more information, or to see how your practice can benefit from Atlantic’s free program, please contact Cindy Berenson or Jeff Winokur via email or by calling 800.741.2044.