Shingles curbside treatment booked for the month

KENNEWICK — The Benton-Franklin Health District announced Monday, April 5, that appointments for curbside shingles vaccinations are full for the month of April.

Future clinics will be announced when the district is able to replenish its supply of vaccines, officials said.

“We’re delighted at the response of our community,” Communicable Disease Program Manager Heather Hill, RN, said. “It’s important to continue routine immunizations and preventive care during the pandemic.”

People seeking the shingles vaccine who weren’t able to get an appointment for the curbside clinics should contact their healthcare provider or a pharmacy, officials said.

Shingles is a skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body, but can reactivate many years later and cause shingles.

A shingles rash often includes blisters that usually develop on one side of the face or body and lasts 2-4 weeks. Very rarely, a shingles infection can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, swelling of the brain (encephalitis), or death.

The Shingrix vaccine is a two-dose series, with the second dose given two to six months after the first dose.