Shingles Vaccine from Lombard Pharmacy, Dublin 2

What is Shingles?

Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox – the Varicella zoster virus. Once you have the virus, it remains in your body, and can become active again in later life where it develops into shingles. The risk of developing shingles is between 24% and 30% and can occur at any age, but is increased if you are aged 50 years and older. The risk is also increased when your immune system weakens, which can occur due to increasing age or certain conditions and treatments e.g. cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, advanced or untreated  HIV. Shingles can be very painful and the older you are, the worse it can be. Although most people fully recover from shingles, some can be left with long-term nerve pain that continues for months or even years after the blisters and rash have healed – this is called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). The older you are, the higher your chance is, of developing PHN as a result of shingles.

Why get a Shingles Vaccination?

The vaccine not only helps reduce your risk of developing shingles, but can lessen the severity and duration of any symptoms if you do, as well as cutting your risk of developing PHN. The shingles vaccine currently recommended in Ireland by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), is a recombinant type vaccine given in two doses. Studies have shown that four months after two doses of the recombinant vaccine in people with healthy immune systems that its efficacy at preventing shingles was as follows:*

• Aged 50 to 69 years 97%
• Aged 70 to 79 years 90%
• Aged 80 years and older 89%

If you do get shingles, the vaccine can also help reduce the severity of the symptoms and also the risk of developing post herpetic neuralgia (PHN), the long-lasting nerve pain that follows shingles.

What is the cost of the Shingles Vaccination Service?

The cost of the TWO dose Shingles Vaccination Service-Shingrix is €480 (€240 per vaccination dose). The second dose is usually given two months after the first dose.

For further information about the two dose shingles vaccine, click here.

What are the symptoms of Shingles?

Generally, symptoms range from mild to severe. Shingles starts with some initial pain and tingling, before developing into a rash with blisters that can be itchy, painful and last for about 2-4 weeks. The rash usually only affects the upper body on one side, but can also develop on the head, neck and around the eyes.

Who is at risk?

Anyone who’s had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles, as the virus remains in certain nerves of the body and can become active again as time goes on. You may be at greater risk if you:

• Have a weakened immune system
• Are aged over 50

Who is the Shingles Vaccine suitable for?

The recombinant type shingles vaccine can be given to people aged 50 or over and in addition to people aged 18 to 49 years who are at increased risk of getting shingles e.g. due to weakened immune system. You can get the vaccination year-round. If you’ve had shingles before, you can still have the vaccination, but guidance recommends that it’s prudent to wait for one year since you had shingles and it has resolved so that the vaccine can work more effectively. This recombinant vaccine is also suitable to give to someone who previously received the live attenuated version of shingles vaccine.

Who should NOT get the shingles vaccine?

• The shingles vaccine is not recommended in pregnancy. Please speak to your doctor if you are breast-feeding and wish to get the shingles vaccine.
• You should not get the shingles vaccine if you have a history of severe allergic reaction to any of the shingles vaccine components.
• If you have thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder, talk to your pharmacist as you may not be eligible to get the vaccination in the pharmacy.
• If you’re in any doubt, talk to your pharmacist, who can give you more information about the vaccination and advise whether it’s suitable for you.

Side-effects

Occasionally, people develop side-effects after a shingles vaccination but most usually aren’t serious and go away in a few days. See below for the side-effects that can be experienced:

• Very common: headache, stomach and digestive complaints (including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and/or stomach pain), muscle pain (myalgia), pain, redness and swelling where the injection is given, feeling tired, chills, fever
• Common: itching where the injection is given (pruritus), generally feeling unwell
• Uncommon: swollen glands in the neck, armpit or groin, joint pain

Additional information

It’s important you remain in store for 15 minutes after your vaccination in case you experience any immediate side-effects. Sometimes, a severe allergic reaction can occur. Signs include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness and weakness. If this happens, we have procedures in place to deal with this condition.

To book a Shingles Vaccine appointment at Lombard Pharmacy, Dublin 2, please click here:

Pneumococcal Vaccine from Lombard Pharmacy, Dublin 2 

What is Pneumococcal Disease?

Pneumococcal disease is the term used to describe a range of illnesses caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bug such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis (inflammation around the brain). Many people carry the bacteria in their nose and throat without causing any harm but sometimes the bacteria can invade the lungs and bloodstream. The bacteria are spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing or close contact. Pneumococcal vaccination is not recommended for healthy adults (aged under 65 years) as they are at low risk of pneumococcal disease.

Who should get the Pneumococcal Vaccine?

There are two different pneumococcal vaccines available and the HSE outlines the persons for whom vaccination is recommended on their website. Lombard Pharmacy offers the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV23) to ages 18 and above. In adults, the vaccine is recommended for everybody aged 65 and above. If anybody aged 65 and above has any conditions associated with increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (NIAC Group A & B risk factors), they will NOT be vaccinated in a community pharmacy. Check with your pharmacist for more details. Individuals aged between 18-65 years with any of the risk factors are also recommended to get the vaccine. The risk factors include:

• Diabetes
• Chronic lung, heart or liver disease
• Chronic neurological disease
• Down Syndrome
• Coeliac disease
• Chronic renal disease
• Cochlear implants
• Immunosuppressed
• HIV infection
• Impaired spleen function
• CSF leaks
• Intracranial shunt
• Smoking or alcohol dependence
• Solid organ transplant

*Some patients require vaccination with the Pneuomoccal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) before receiving PPV23. Note that PCV vaccination is not available as part of this service.

Who should NOT get the Pneumococcal Vaccine?

You shouldn’t have the vaccine if you have had an allergic reaction to a previous dose or to any part of the vaccine.

I think I’ve had the vaccine before, do I need another one?

Most people will only need this vaccine once. However, re-vaccination is recommended for some people and this will depend on your age and if you have any risk factors. Ask your pharmacist to check if you are recommended to get the pneumococcal vaccine. To ensure the vaccine is suitable for you at this time we will need to confirm your pneumococcal vaccine history with your doctor.

How can I access the vaccination service?

To avail of the vaccination service, please pick your slot and complete the intake form provided and a member of the pharmacy team will check your eligibility and arrange for payment if required before the time of your appointment.

Customer advice

• This vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal disease including those most likely to cause severe disease and most people only need to receive the vaccine once
• Most adults will be protected by the vaccine after 3 weeks
• If you are aged under 65 years a booster vaccination (usually given 5 years after the first) may be recommended if you have a condition where your antibody levels are likely to decline rapidly e.g. no spleen, or a condition that weakens your immune system
• You cannot get pneumococcal disease from the vaccine, as it does not contain live bacteria
• The pneumococcal vaccine reduces the risk of getting severe forms of pneumococcal disease such as pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia

Side-effect

• People can develop side-effects after a pneumococcal vaccination, although not everybody gets them
• Very common side-effects include: soreness, pain, redness, warmth, swelling and hardening where the injection is given
• Other side effects include: swelling, decreased mobility of the injected arm, feeling tired, generally unwell, uncontrollable shivering, feeling sick or being sick, enlarged and/or inflamed glands, pain, inflammation and swelling of the joints and muscle pains, headache and severe allergic reactions
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. If this happens, we have procedures in place to deal with this condition
• It’s important that you stay in store for 10-15 minutes after your vaccination, just in case you have any immediate side-effects

If you’re concerned about any aspects of your vaccination or about any side-effects, you should talk to one of our pharmacists.

To book a Pneumococcal Vaccine appointment at Lombard Pharmacy, Dublin 2, please click here:

COVID-19 Vaccine from Lombard Pharmacy, Dublin 2

Primary Dose COVID Vaccine

Your first COVID vaccine could be either 1 or 2 doses depending on your age and your risk from COVID-19. The second dose is recommended for people with a weak immune system, 4 weeks after the first dose or a COVID-19 infection. In the case of immunocompromised individuals or people with a very high risk of COVID-19, an additional dose is recommended 8 weeks after the second dose – only if advised by a specialist.

Seasonal COVID Booster doses

The protection from previous doses or a COVID-19 infection may weaken over time. Booster doses help boost your antibodies and provide protection from becoming seriously ill or needing to go to the hospital if you get COVID-19.

The recommended groups for the COVID-19 boosters is subject to change:

• All aged 60 years and older
• All aged 18 years and older living in a long term care facility for older adults
• All aged 18 years and older with immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination
• All aged 18 years and older with a medical condition associated with a higher risk of hospitalisation, severe disease or death due to COVID-19:
  o Cancer, Chronic heart disease, Chronic kidney disease, Chronic liver disease, Chronic neurological disease, Chronic respiratory disease, Diabetes and other metabolic disorders including inherited metabolic disorders, Haemoglobinopathies, Body mass index ≥ 40kg/m2, Serious mental health
  conditions, Children and adults with Down syndrome, Children with moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorders

Individuals who are in the groups listed above including healthcare workers and pregnant women are recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine in autumn/winter. Anyone aged over 18 years who is not in any of the groups listed above, can get a COVID-19 vaccine in autumn/winter if they choose to, following discussion with a healthcare provider.

Individuals who are immunocompromised or aged 80 and above recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine in spring.

There should be at least a 3 month interval between the last COVID-19 vaccine or the last COVID-19 infection before getting vaccinated.

In pregnancy

You can get a COVID-19 booster once during pregnancy. The best time to get your booster dose is between 20 and 34 weeks. But you can get it at any stage of pregnancy. Wait 6 months since your last COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 infection before getting a booster. If it is over 12 months since you had a COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 infection, you may be offered a booster dose earlier in your pregnancy. If you have a weak immune system, you can get a second booster 6 months after your last COVID-19 vaccine or infection. Many countries have given multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines. There have not been any unexpected safety concerns so far. The safety of the vaccines continues to be monitored by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The most regularly reported side effects are headache, fever, and tiredness.

To book a COVID-19 Vaccine appointment at Lombard Pharmacy, Dublin 2, please click here: