Shingles Vaccine - What's the Scoop?

My bias:
I am a believer in getting vaccinated for communicable diseases or life-altering diseases.
 
Shingles:
Shingles is a life-altering, communicable disease. It can't be cured. It's painful. It's contagious when active. Three strikes and you're out.
 
What is Shingles? According to the CDC "Shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster, is a painful skin rash...caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox."
 
Their US Shingles occurrence estimate is very high - One in three people can develop Shingles later in life and the risk increases with age as immune systems wane.
 
Because it's contagious, the one in three includes those who get it from others with active infections.

Prevention is Better than Cure:
There is "no" cure for Shingles. 
 
Doctors can only treat the symptoms when it flares. Current medicines can only "shorten the length and severity of the illness." However, modern medicine produced another marvel - a Shingles vaccine.

The only debate is when to start vaccinations. That is a discussion for you and your doctor. However, a friend of mine got a non-traditional form. Instead of skin rashes, the virus went into her brain. She was hospitalized for months and spent many more months in rehab. While she's coming home soon, there is still another year to go before she will be back to her old self.

Gaithersburg’s Indoor Flea Markets

(c) City of Gaithersburg

Indoor Flea Markets

The City of Gaithersburg announces the Indoor Flea Markets winter season is in full swing.

 

Winter 2015 Dates
       January 10
       February 7
       March 14

Flea Market Hours:
       9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attendee Admission:
       Free.

Vendors are sought to sell gently used and new items. Spaces are 15’ x 8’ and registration cost is $25 per space, $20 for City residents. Vendors must provide their own tables and chairs. Electricity is available upon request. Registration begins September 15. Click Indoor Flea Markets Application & Fact Sheet

Location

     Montgomery County Agricultural Fairgrounds
     16 Chestnut Street, Building 6
     Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877

 

Contact Information

     Parks, Recreation & Culture
     301-258-6350; parksrec@gaithersburgmd.gov

Source:

http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/leisure/markets/indoor-flea-markets-and-baby-bazaar

 

 

Reminder - Marine Toys For Tots

(c) Marine Toys For Tots

http://quantico-va.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/Default.aspx

Hi all,

As a child, I benefited from this program and as I grew and funds were better, I tried to donate whenever I can. Our church handles a lot of practical needs. But to me, a "toothbrush" is not a Christmas present.

I urge you to take some time this year to share with those less fortunate than yourself:

http://quantico-va.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/donate-toys.aspx

Mailing address: 

Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
The Cooper Center
18251 Quantico Gateway Drive
Triangle, VA  22172-1776
Email: mtftf@toysfortots.org