Schumer Reveals: In Midst of Shutdown, Capital Region Is Experiencing Alarming Shingle Shot Shortage that Left Unsolved Could Sicken Many & Spread Chickenpox Virus This Winter; Senator Urges Emergency FDA Staff to Step In, Help Remedy Shortage with Manufacturer & Improve Communication with Locals Now in Dark

Press Release

In the midst of a needless government shutdown that has forced key functions at the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to shut down, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer revealed today that the Capital Region is experiencing an alarming shortage of the shingles vaccine, that left unsolved, could result in many people getting shingles or spreading the chickenpox virus to others this winter.

"To think that in the midst of a shingle shot vaccine shortage across the Capital Region, that the FDA is shutdown, is a worrisome thought and a problem that must be addressed," said Senator Schumer. "The shingle shot shortage across Upstate New York is a two-pronged worry because not only does a shortage mean more people might suffer the painful and harmful shingles virus itself, but it means that young people, particularly babies and children, even those with compromised immune systems who have never had chickenpox themselves, are at a greater risk to communicate the bug. Even though the best way to address this pressing problem would be to fully re-open the federal government and FDA, today, I am urging the FDA to go above and beyond, to do whatever it can, amidst this needless shutdown and pull out all the stops to step in and help remedy this shortage before it becomes a full-on crisis. And it is why I am, once again, urging the President to see the light here and stop holding agencies that have nothing to do with the debate at hand hostage."

Schumer detailed that the best possible way to address the shingle shot shortage would be by fully re-opening the federal government and FDA. However, today, Schumer publicly pushed FDA staff still working amidst the shutdown to:

1) Consider this shortage an emergency.

2) Step in more directly and work as a go-between between the manufacturer and others to ensure locals know when new shipments will arrive, and how to best publicize the news.

3) Expedite any and all regulatory hurdles that might prevent shipments of the already-approved vaccine from making its way to the U.S. as fast as possible.

4) Prioritize shingles vaccine shipments to New York and other states with higher populations because the risk of spreading the communicable chickenpox virus which emerges through the shingles virus is highest among populated states, including New York.

Schumer said that this shingle shot shortage, being experienced by local and big-name pharmacies across Albany and the Capital Region, warrants some of the FDA's agency staff to step in and help remedy the problem with the manufacturer, and most importantly, improve communication with locals who are currently in the dark in terms of when new shipments of the vaccine will arrive locally. The Senator was joined by Assemblyman John McDonald, who is a pharmacist and owns and operates Marra's Pharmacy in Cohoes. Also joining Schumer was Elizabeth Lasky, Executive Director of the Pharmacist's Society of the State of New York, and Mrs. Sharon Mitchell, a retired school teacher from Cohoes, who is on a waiting list for the shingles shot. He said this shingle vaccine shortage is a perfect example of why the President should end the shutdown and open the other agencies of the federal government that have nothing to do with paying for a wall.

The Senator and local officials and residents further detailed the impacts of the shortage and the risks as they made the case for the FDA to go above and beyond in helping to rectify the situation.

The vaccine, Shingrix, approved last year to prevent shingles, has been in high demand since GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the manufacturer of the vaccine, came out with its shingles vaccine that is 90% effective, while others were much less effective, as low as 40%. There is a shortage of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) shingles vaccine because not enough was produced to meet the high demand for the uniquely effective vaccine.

Many people, especially older adults, do not understand the seriousness of shingles and the complications that could arise with the virus, especially in the spread of the communicable chickenpox virus. The shingles vaccine, which reduces the chances of an older adult getting shingles, and reduces the severity of complications and spread of chickenpox, is recommended for most people over 50. However, people are finding it extremely difficult to get in the Capital Region.

"The Pharmacists Society of the State of New York applauds Senator Schumer for his continued focus on the Shingrix shortage. The shortage is very concerning. Orders are placed, allocations to pharmacies are cut or shipments are not received. Shingrix is a two-dose vaccine and due to the shortage many patients have been unable to receive the second vaccination. The shortage causes healthcare costs to increase as patients are forced to repeat the regimen. We are concerned about the elderly and also children because of the risk of spreading the virus," said Debbi Barber, PSSNY President.

Schumer explained that the lack of communication between pharmacies, doctors' offices, and the manufacturer of the vaccine, GSK, could be better, which leaves patients, doctors, and pharmacies alike in the dark about when the next shipment of Shingrix will arrive. Reports indicate that the wait time for the vaccine may depend on where you live and other factors such as large pharmacy chains' ability to move supply around. But even in the populated Capital Region, finding the vaccine proves far more difficult than it should.

Shingles is an extremely painful and debilitating rash that can lead to even more severe complications. The virus (also called herpes zoster) occurs when the varicella-zoster virus (VZV)--the same virus that causes chickenpox--is reactivated in the body. The varicella-zoster virus remains in the body for life and older people are more susceptible to shingles because their immunity to the virus declines at the cellular level. Aside from the painful rash, shingles can produce typical virus symptoms including chills, fever, upset stomach or headache and also spread communicable chickenpox.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that there is a shortage of GSK's Shingrix vaccine due to high levels of demand. As a result of this shortage, GSK has implemented order limits and providers have experienced shipping delays. The CDC has reported that order limits and shipping delays are likely to continue throughout 2019. Schumer explained that this uncertainty regarding the timing of shipments is extremely concerning to the adults at risk of contracting the virus and spreading the communicable VZV chickenpox virus to those who have never had the ailment or have a compromised immune system.

While GSK plans to make even more doses available in the US in 2019, the communication between all entities needs to be improved immediately, Schumer argues. The CDC has issued a message to protect older adults from shingles by providing "did-you-know?" facts regarding the disease.

These facts include:

There are about a million new cases of shingles each year in the United States.
Anyone who has had chicken pox can get shingles. That means 95% of adults are at risk.
While you cannot spread shingles, one can spread the chickenpox virus at the same time.
Approximately one-third of the U.S. population will get shingles. The risk rises after 50 years of age. Half of people living to age 85 have had or will get shingles.
Among those who get shingles, more than one-third will develop serious complications. The risk of complications rises after 60 years of age.

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