Greene Co. residents who are 60 and older can receive free shingles vaccine

Greene County residents who are 60 years old or older can receive the shingles vaccine at no charge, due to a $396,097 grant from the Greene County Senior Citizens' Services Fund Board.

According to GoodRx, the average retail price for the shingles vaccine, Shingrex, is $211.

The vaccination effort is part of Springfield-Greene County Health Department's program to provide education and immunization against shingles, which is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chicken pox.

In 2021, that program provided more than 1,500 immunizations Greene County seniors working with Jordan Valley Community Health Center, and at outreach clinics across Greene County with the Springfield-Greene County Library District, senior centers, senior residences and the O’Reilly Center for Hope, according to a press release.

"As we age, our risk of shingles and complications from the virus increases, so anything we can do to prevent shingles is great. Prevention is key," said Stephanie Woehler, communicable disease prevention coordinator for the SGCHD.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 99% of Americans born before 1980 have had chickenpox, placing them at an increased risk for shingles as they get older since the varicella zoster virus stays dormant in your body even after you recover from chickenpox.

While shingles cannot be passed to another person, someone who has never had chickenpox or has never been immunized against chickenpox can get it from someone who has shingles.

Since children can't receive their first dose of chickenpox vaccine until 12 to 15 months old, the shingles vaccine can help older adults protect their younger loved ones, as well.

"(Vaccines in general) help protect the individual who is receiving that vaccine, but it also adds the layer of protection for anyone that is around that vaccinated individual. We cannot pass on pathogens or viruses that we're vaccinated against if we don't have them," Woehler said. "... If you're not going to be vaccinated for you, vaccinate for others."

The shingles vaccine is highly effective, according to Woehl.

"The shingles vaccine is more than 90 percent effective at preventing shingles and long-term nerve pain, so we know that this vaccine works," Woehl said.

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Ten to 18 percent of people who get shingles will develop long-term nerve pain, according to the CDC, and older adults are more likely to develop that pain. Other severe complications are rare but include blindness, hearing problems, pneumonia or brain inflammation.

The CDC recommends that all adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine, even if they have already had shingles or are unsure if they ever had chickenpox. Greene County residents who are 60 years and older can go to vaccine417.com or call 417-864-1658 for more information. Those who are 50 to 59 years old and interested in the shingles vaccine should contact their health care provider.

Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Those 60+ can get free shingles vaccine in Greene County