Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus lays dormant in the body’s nerve cells, while the host remains asymptomatic. While scientists are not sure what causes the virus to reactivate in the form of shingles, it can present in individuals who are elderly or those who have compromised immune systems in general, due to medication or health conditions.

Shingles is a painful rash that usually develops on one side of the body, often the face or torso. The rash consists of blisters that typically scab over in seven to 10 days and clears up within two to four weeks. Even long after the rash has healed, shingles can lead to long-term complications in the form of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)—severe nerve pain— at the site of the rash.  Although shingles is not contagious, VZV can spread from a person with active shingles to cause chickenpox in someone who has either never had chickenpox or has never received the chickenpox vaccine. The virus spreads through direct contact with the blisters, and a person is not infectious before the blister phase.

The only way to lower the risk of developing shingles is to get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the new shingles vaccine called Shingrix to protect against the disease. The new vaccine is administered in a two-dose series, and the second dose is administered two to six months following the first dose. According to the CDC, it is imperative that patients complete the vaccine series as it provides greater protection than its predecessor Zostavax, which is a single-shot vaccine.

According to reports, a surge in demand for the shingles vaccine following the recommendations has led to a national shortage, leaving consumers searching far and wide for available doses. While news of the vaccine shortage is certainly unfortunate, the silver lining in this situation is that patients are taking proactive measures to protect themselves from illness.

NCL strongly advocates for the use of vaccines as a safe and effective preventive public health measure to protect against debilitating illnesses. A survey conducted by NCL in 2014 revealed that due to prevalent anti-vaccine rhetoric, nearly 33 percent of American consumers are misinformed about the benefit of vaccines. Vaccines are essential to public health as they protect vulnerable populations with diverse health needs. Adults and children who are not able to receive vaccines due to certain conditions rely on the general population for protection against disease, also known as herd immunity.

Consumers should feel at ease knowing that while shingles is a serious condition, your odds of developing the disease before the shortage ends are low. The CDC recommends that consumers call their local pharmacies or use Vaccine Finder to find their nearest available dose. If Shingrix is unavailable in your area, the CDC recommends that consumers 60 and older get the Zostavax vaccine.

If you have gone more than six months since your initial dose, the CDC states that you do not have to start the vaccine course over, but should instead promptly get the second dose to ensure maximum immunity. If you have already received your first dose of the vaccine, you can sign up for text, voice, or email reminders for your second dose. For more information on the causes and risk factors associated with shingles, please click here.

On November 28, in collaboration with Biogen and Eisai, The Hill hosted Preparing for a Treatment – Alzheimer’s Diagnosis and Care, which featured Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), along with experts throughout the memory care and Alzheimer’s space. Senators Markey and Tillis discussed the vital need and urgency in funding for Alzheimer’s research and the need for a bipartisan effort towards a cure.

Senator Markey stated that more than five million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s, and by 2050 that figure could triple to 16 million. Alzheimer’s remains one of the most underfunded and underdiagnosed chronic illnesses, despite having devastating effects equivalent to that of cancer or diabetes. Senator Markey reminisced on the Apollo moon landing in the ‘60s, recalling that the journey to the moon was an impressive feat for our nation and that we must now venture into the journey of the mind, a similarly vastly unexplored area.   

Senator Tillis emphasized the importance of continued development of new treatments for Alzheimer’s. He warned against disengaging in collaborative efforts with pharmaceutical companies on account of a few bad actors, as diminished engagement with pharmaceutical and biotech companies could have devastating effects on risk–taking and innovation.  

Experts from the panel agreed with the Senators that there is a great need for increased research in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and primary care spaces. The panelists stated that Alzheimer’s is currently the only disease that has no cure, methods of prevention, or strategies to slow down progression. However, there have been significant advancements made in the detection of Alzheimer’s in the form of amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) scans.  

Amyloid PET scans allow physicians to detect the development of amyloid plaques, which are clumps of insoluble plaques in the brain that destroy connections between nerve cells. These images can afford physicians the ability to detect Alzheimer’s in patients 10-15 years before a diagnosis, potentially transforming primary care delivery and forging a path towards prevention.   

The panelists also discussed the Bold Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act (S.2076), which would expand the public health infrastructure to support patients, caregivers, and communities in the Alzheimer’s space. Additionally, the bill would require greater reporting and analysis of state and national data on cognitive decline, caregiving, and health disparities. Introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Catherine Cortez Masto (R-NV), S. 2076 now enjoys 57 bipartisan co–sponsors, including Senators Markey and Tillis.     

The National Consumers League supports efforts such as S. 2076 that would make strides in addressing Alzheimer’s disease. NCL is also proud to be a partner in WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s We Won’t Wait Campaign, which seeks to unite women in a widespread effort to define Alzheimer’s as the 21st Century’s primary economic justice issue and health crisis for women. The Campaign promotes advocacy, education, and action on five key pillars: public funding, sex-based research, economic justice, diagnosis and treatment, and brain health. 

Open Enrollment is back! From November 1, 2018 to December 15, 2018, consumers will be able to shop for insurance coverage options through the individual health insurance marketplace. Even if you are currently insured, you can still take advantage of the Open Enrollment period to compare plan options and select a plan that better suits your budget and needs.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that marketplace premiums have dropped by 1.5 percent nationally. With regard to pre-existing conditions, all marketplace plans sold through HealthCare.Gov are required to provide comprehensive coverage to consumers and cannot discriminate against enrollees on the basis of health status. In addition, when you apply for insurance via the marketplace, you will be able to determine if you qualify for a premium tax credit. To find out if your monthly income range qualifies for a premium tax credit, please click here.

The National Consumers League encourages consumers to seek coverage via the Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant plans offered on the marketplace. These plans are required to cover the essential health benefits mandated by the ACA, ensuring that you have access to comprehensive care.

If you need assistance navigating the marketplace, you can find a healthcare navigator in your area to help in comparing coverage options that meet your needs. To find a navigator in your area, please click here. Most importantly, in order to have coverage that is effective by January 1, 2019, you must sign up by December 15, 2018.