Is a vaccine available to prevent shingles?
Two vaccines are available in the United States to reduce your chance of developing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia. One vaccine, Zostavax®, has been available since 2006. The second vaccine, Shingrix®, has been available since 2017. Shingrix is recommended as the preferred vaccine by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a group of medical and public health experts.
Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine) is given as a two-dose shot in your upper arm. You should receive the second dose (shot) two to six months after receiving the first. Shingrix has been shown to be more than 90% effective in preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia. Its effectiveness remains above 85% for at least four years after receiving the vaccine.
Who should be vaccinated with Shingrix?
The Shingrix vaccine is recommended for those 50 years of age and older who are in good health.
You should get the Shingrix vaccine even if:
- You’ve had shingles already.
- You’ve been previously vaccinated with Zostavax (a live zoster vaccine). If you’ve been vaccinated with Zostavax, wait at least eight weeks before getting vaccinated with Shingrix.
- You don’t know for sure if you’ve ever had chickenpox.
Ask your healthcare provider, who knows your entire health history if getting this vaccine is right for you.
Who should not be vaccinated with Shingrix?
You shouldn’t receive the Shingrix vaccine if you:
- Have ever had a severe allergy to this vaccine or any ingredient in this vaccine.
- Are breastfeeding (chestfeeding) or pregnant.
- Currently have shingles.
- Are ill and have a high fever.
- Have tested negative for immunity to varicella-zoster virus (get the chickenpox vaccine instead).
Ask your healthcare provider if the benefits of getting the vaccine outweigh any potential risks.
What serious side effects should you watch for after getting the Shingrix vaccine?
Serious side effects from vaccines are extremely rare. However, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you experience any of the following within minutes to hours after receiving Shingrix:
- Swelling of your face or throat.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Hives.
- Fast heartbeat.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness.
If you’ve had shingles recently, how long should you wait before getting the Shingrix vaccine?
You can get the Shingrix vaccine any time after the shingles rash has gone away.
Is the Zostavax vaccine still being used?
Yes. The CDC, however, recommends Zostavax for adults age 60 and older, but not routinely for people aged 50 to 59. Zostavax is given as a single-dose shot versus the two-dose shot for Shingrix. Zostavax is less effective than Shingrix in preventing shingles (51% vs more than 90%) and postherpetic neuralgia (67% vs more than 90%).
You can consider Zostavax if you are allergic to Shingrix or if Shingrix is unavailable because of supply shortage and you want some immediate protection from a possible case of shingles and/or postherpetic neuralgia. Because it’s a weakened live vaccine, it may be dangerous if you have cancer, HIV, or take steroids, chemotherapy or other medications that suppress your immune system. Ask your healthcare provider if the Zostavax vaccine is an option for you.
Do you need to stay away from children, people who are pregnant, have cancer or anyone with a weak immune system after you get the Zostavax vaccine?
According to the CDC, it’s safe to be around babies and young children, pregnant women or anyone with a weakened immune system after you get the Zostavax vaccine. Even though the Zostavax vaccine contains a weakened live varicella-zoster virus, the CDC says there’s no documented case of a person getting chickenpox from someone who has received the Zostavax vaccine. And remember: You can’t get shingles unless you’ve already had chickenpox.
If you have previously received the Zostavax vaccine, how long should you wait before getting the Shingrix vaccine?
If you’ve previously received the Zostavax vaccine, the CDC recommends waiting at least eight weeks before getting the Shingrix vaccine.
If you get the shingles vaccine, does this mean you’re 100% protected from getting shingles?
No. Just like most vaccines, getting vaccinated with a shingles vaccine doesn’t provide 100% protection from disease. However, getting the shingles vaccine reduces your risk of developing shingles.
Even if you do develop shingles, you’ll be more likely to have a mild case. Also, you’ll be much less likely to develop postherpetic neuralgia, a painful condition that can follow a shingles outbreak.
If you have a medical condition that suppresses your immune system, should you get the shingles vaccine?
Having a weakened immune system can increase the likelihood of getting shingles, so that’s even more of a reason to get the shingles vaccine. However, you must get the Shingrix vaccine, which is not made from a live virus. (The older — and still available — vaccine, Zostavax, is made from a weakened live virus and shouldn’t be given to people with weakened immune systems.)
