New research has found thousands of Kiwis are unaware of the risk of a potentially debilitating disease.
A leading Kiwi vaccine expert believes more needs to be done to raise awareness of the shingles virus, after research found 66 percent of New Zealanders aged 50 or older say they have little to no knowledge of the disease.
Shingles is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. Even those who appear healthy but are aged 50 or older are at risk of developing shingles.
Most commonly, the shingles rash or blisters, wrap around one side of the torso and can be intensely painful.
The disease is associated with a range of complications which can include vision loss, cardiovascular and stroke events, hearing loss, scarring and neurological problems.
Dr Helen Petousis-Harris, who is a leading Kiwi vaccine expert and associate professor at the University of Auckland said the shingles virus can cause possible secondary infection but in rare cases, it can be fatal for some patients.
"Our immune system ages and while normally it is pretty good at keeping the virus from activating, as we age or undergo stress it can reactivate," she said.
"Shingles is a reactivation of latent chickenpox virus that can be a really nasty illness and result in hospitalisation. It can be incredibly debilitating even for healthy people, but there is greater risk of complications in those with underlying disease, cancer for example, and may even result in death.
"Shingles typically presents as a painful, itchy rash which develops on one side of the body, or the trunk but can then be disseminated to other parts of the body including the eye and that can be very serious and even result in loss of sight."
Dr Petousis-Harris said Kiwis aged 50 or older and who have been exposed to chickenpox during their lifetime should consult their GP about how to prevent the development of shingles.
In March, Kiwis are expected to have access to a new vaccine for the prevention of shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia - the most common complication of shingles - in adults aged 50 or older.
Clinical trials have proven that Shingrix has over 90 percent efficacy against shingles in all age groups 50 or older, according to Medsafe.
The vaccine has a sustained efficacy for at least seven years post-vaccination, which continues to be monitored.
The medical director at GSK NZ, Brett Marett said that bringing innovative medicines and vaccines to New Zealand is a core focus.
"GSK NZ is very proud to make this shingles vaccine available in NZ," he said.
"GSK has been at the heart of research into how the immune system declines as we age, and we know that more prevention options are needed. We are thrilled that with the supply of Shingrix into NZ, we will be able to help protect more New Zealanders from shingles.
"GSK is committed to bringing innovative solutions to the people who need them most, and today's announcement is evidence of that."
Shingrix is a non-live, recombinant subunit vaccine given intramuscularly in two doses and will be available by a private prescription from a medical doctor for people aged 50-years or older.
