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Rochester, N.Y., Feb 26, 2018 – Shingrix, the new, more effective shingles vaccine recently recommended by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is now available at all Wegmans Food Market pharmacies, with no appointment or prescription necessary.
The CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of Shingrix, separated by two to six months, to protect against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication from shingles.
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October 2017, Shingrix is now the preferred shingles vaccine with an effective rate of more than 90 percent for the prevention of shingles and PHN, compared to the previously recommended vaccine, Zostavax, that reduced the risk of shingles and PHN by 51 percent and 67 percent, respectively.
We want to help our customers stay healthy by providing easy, convenient access to the most effective vaccinations available, said Katie Niles, Wegmans pharmacist and pharmacy clinical wellness services manager. Because Shingrix has a much higher rate of effectiveness, it is recommended that all adults 50 and older, including those who received the previously available vaccine, receive the Shingrix vaccine to reduce their risk.
The CDCs recommendation of Shingrix means approximately 42 million adults aged 50-59 years old and 20 million who have previously been vaccinated against shingles may be eligible to receive the new vaccination.
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox, which remains dormant in the body after recovery. Anyone who has recovered from chickenpox can get shingles, though the risk increases with age. According to the CDC, almost one out of every three people in the U.S. will develop shingles in their lifetime, with an estimated one million cases of shingles each year.
Wegmans pharmacists are available to speak with customers and answer questions about the shingles vaccination and assist with determining their insurance policys coverage.
In addition to the shingles vaccine, Wegmans Pharmacy locations throughout the companys six-state footprint offer an array of immunizations. Due to state regulations, customers should visit Wegmans.com to see which vaccines are available in their state. Depending upon the state, customers may receive immunizations against influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), human papillomavirus (HPV), MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), meningococcal (meningitis), pneumococcal disease (pneumonia), tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a 95-store supermarket chain with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. The family-owned company, recognized as an industry leader and innovator, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016. Wegmans has been named one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For by FORTUNE magazine for 21 consecutive years, ranking #2 in 2018.
Tracy Van Auker
Media Relations Coordinator
[email protected]
585-429-3826