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Recombinant Zoster Shingles Vaccine: Shingrix

Mar 22, 2018, 10:35 by Mitch Markovich
According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly one out of every three people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. Read about shingles vaccinations in this blog post.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly one out of every three people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime.  Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox.  When first infected with the varicella-zoster virus, usually as a child, a person gets chickenpox.  The virus stays dormant in the body in the roots of nerves and can reactivate and cause shingles at any age but the risk goes up as we grow older.  Shingles causes a rash and can cause pain - which for some can be excruciating.  The pain is often times prolonged lasting for weeks and sometimes even months.  You can’t catch shingles from another person.  However, a person who has never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine could get chickenpox from someone with shingles.


Common sites for shingles rash

The old vaccine, Zostavax, which has been around since 2006 was recommended for anyone over 60 years of age to be given as a single dose.  It was a live attenuated weakened form of the chickenpox virus.  It was around 50% effective in providing protection against the rash and 75% to 80% effective in protecting against prolonged pain.  Shingrix, the new vaccine, is made from one of the chickenpox virus proteins and mixed with two adjuvant substances which help boost the immune response.  Shingrix is around 80% to 95% effective at preventing rash and about 95% effective in preventing pain and prolonged pain.  Zostavax, the old vaccine, may still be used to prevent shingles in certain cases for healthy adults 60 years and older.  

The CDC recommends the new vaccine, Shingrix, be given to healthy adults staring at 50 years of age.  The new vaccine is give in two doses.  The second dose of Shingrix should be given 2 to 6 months after the first dose.  The new preferred vaccine is recommended even if you had shingles in the past, received the old Zostavax vaccine, or if you are not sure you had chickenpox.  There is no maximum age for getting the new shingles vaccine.

If you need help finding where to go for vaccinations in your area, including the new shingles vaccine or any other vaccines, please visit:  https://vaccinefinder.org/.

The cost of the new Shingrix vaccine is typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, most health insurance providers and by Samish Purchased and Referred Care.    

For more information about the new shingles vaccine, please visit:  https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/hcp/shingrix/recommendations.html.

2018 Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule – Easy Read:  Find out what immunizations you may need based on your age and/or health conditions:  https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-schedule-easy-read.pdf.

The information in this report has been compiled from the CDC and various other relevant government agencies and is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified professional health-care provider.

Samish Elders Virtual & In-Person Spring Gathering


Join us for an afternoon of great conversation, culture talk and bingo.

Dates: 21 – 21 Mar, 2025

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RESCHEDULED - Ribbon Skirt Class

Anacortes, WA

New date: Saturday, May 24.

Dates: 22 – 22 Mar, 2025

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FULL - Quarter Bags Class (online)


Learn to weave a quarter bag, taught by Emily Blackinton Baker.

Dates: 25 – 25 Mar, 2025

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Community Dinner (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Come to gather over a shared community dinner.

Dates: 27 – 27 Mar, 2025

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Drumming Group (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 27 – 27 Mar, 2025

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History Talk: Lopez Island (online + Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Join Tribal Chairman Tom Wooten to learn the Samish history of Sx’wálech (Lopez Island).

Dates: 08 – 08 Apr, 2025

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Samish Elders Chat & Learn - Spring Fitness Challenge


Samish Elders will learn about increasing their daily movement activity.

Dates: 10 – 10 Apr, 2025

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Drumming Group (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 10 – 10 Apr, 2025

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Wool Skirt Class (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Learn to loom weave a Coast Salish wool skirt, taught by Leslie Eastwood.

Dates: 12 – 12 Apr, 2025

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Samish Youthfest

Anacortes, WA

Samish is excited to host its first Youth Fair on April 19, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Fidalgo Bay Event Center!

Dates: 19 – 19 Apr, 2025

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Community Dinner (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Come to gather over a shared community dinner.

Dates: 24 – 24 Apr, 2025

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Drumming Group (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 24 – 24 Apr, 2025

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Samish Elders Virtual & In-Person Bingo Fun!


Samish Elders are invited to Bingo Fun!

Dates: 25 – 25 Apr, 2025

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Samish Elders Chat & Learn - Grief and Self-care


Samish Elders will learn about grief support resources and how to practice self-care.

Dates: 08 – 08 May, 2025

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Drumming Group (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 08 – 08 May, 2025

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Community Dinner (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Come to gather over a shared community dinner.

Dates: 22 – 22 May, 2025

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Drumming Group (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 22 – 22 May, 2025

More Details

Ribbon Skirt Class (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Learn to sew a ribbon skirt.

Dates: 24 – 24 May, 2025

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Annual Elders Luncheon


Samish Elders and intertribal Elders are invited!

Dates: 27 – 27 Jun, 2025

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June Culture Day (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Join us at Samish’s Summit Park campus for craft classes, carving, cultural activities, and more.

Dates: 28 – 28 Jun, 2025

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Salish Sea Háwe7 (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Explore the Samish homelands by water with Island Adventures.

Dates: 28 – 28 Jun, 2025

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Camp Samish (Samish Island)

Bow, WA

Save the date for Camp Samish 2025!

Dates: 29 Aug – 01 Sep, 2025

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Fall Cultural Gathering (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Save the date for the annual Fall Cultural Gathering at Fidalgo Bay Resort.

Dates: 20 – 20 Sep, 2025

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Harvest Fest (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Save the date for the annual Samish Harvest Fest at Fidalgo Bay Resort.

Dates: 01 – 01 Nov, 2025

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Christmas Party (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Save the date for the annual Samish Christmas Party at Fidalgo Bay Resort.

Dates: 06 – 06 Dec, 2025

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Virtual Christmas Party (online)


Save the date for the annual Virtual Samish Christmas Party.

Dates: 12 – 12 Dec, 2025

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