Who Shouldnt Get The Shingles Vaccine
There are a few situations in which shingles vaccination may not be right for you. You should not get Shingrix if youve ever had a severe reaction to a vaccine. This means you had trouble breathing or swelling in your mouth or airway, a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis.
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You should also skip Shingrix if:
- You have allergies to any parts of the vaccine. These include gelatin and the antibiotic neomycin. If you have other allergies, tell your doctor or pharmacist about them before you get Shingrix.
- You currently have shingles or another illness. You can get the vaccine when youre well.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding. You should wait until youve stopped breastfeeding to get vaccinated.
- You happened to test negative for VZV, the virus that causes chickenpox. If youre older than 50, you probably had chickenpox even if you dont remember it. The CDC does not recommend testing for this. However, if a blood test shows youve never had the childhood illness, you should get the chickenpox vaccine instead.
If you have a disease or take medications that affect your immune system, talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of Shingrix.
Its an individualized decision based on factors such as the specific medications and conditions of the person sitting in front of you, Kistler says. She often consults with her patients specialist doctors to make decisions about Shingrix.
How Safe Is Shingrix
The FDA has approved Shingrix for preventing shingles in adults ages 50 and older. The results of several studies showed that Shingrix was safe and effective.
There have been concerns about ingredients, such as thimerosal, that may be added to vaccines. Thimerosal is a kind of preservative that contains mercury. Its added then taken out of some vaccines to keep other germs and bacteria from growing. The concern arose when early research connected thimerosal to autism. This link has since been found to be false. Shingrix doesnt contain thimerosal.
What Else To Know About The Shingles Vaccine
Ready to get vaccinated? This is the essential info on how the shots are given, what to expect with side effects, and more.
You need two doses of Shingrix to get full protection from shingles. You should get your second dose 2 to 6 months after the first. Your doctor or pharmacist will inject the vaccine into the muscle of your upper arm, so wear clothes that give easy access to that area.
If it has been more than 6 months since you got your first dose, go ahead and get your second dose. You dont need to start over, Dooling says.
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Because Shingrix is so new, experts arent sure whether youll eventually need another shot, or a booster, years down the road.
The CDC is actively following how protected people remain after the two-dose series, she says. We know that after 4 years, protection remains above 85%. Only time will tell how durable that protection is.
You have to wait 2 weeks between Shingrix and COVID-19 vaccination. The COVID-19 vaccines are so new that the CDC isnt sure how theyll interact with Shingrix. If youve gotten either Shingrix or a COVID-19 vaccine in the last 14 days, youll need to reach the 2-week mark before you get the other one.
Side effects are fairly common. You may have heard that people sometimes have unpleasant side effects soon after they get the shingles vaccine.
Shingrix tends to have has more side effects than some vaccines, like those for the seasonal flu, says Kistler. The shingles vaccine may cause:
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What Are The Shingles Vaccines
There are 2 vaccines, Shingrix® and Zostavax® II, that protect against shingles. Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. Zostavax® II contains a weakened form of the virus while Shingrix® contains only a part of the virus. The vaccines are approved by Health Canada.
How Do People Get Shingles
People get shingles when the virus that causes chicken pox, varicella zoster, is reactivated in their body. The varicella zoster virus doesn’t leave the body, even after a person has recovered from chicken pox. It can flare up again, causing shingles, often many years after a person has had chicken pox. The virus tends to reactivate when a person’s immune system is weakened because of another health problem.
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How Often To Get Shingles Vaccine
- What Everyone Should Know about Shingles Vaccine
- Who Should Get Shingrix?
- Who Should Not Get Shingrix?
- How Well Does Shingrix Work?
- What are the possible side effects of Shingrix?
- When Should I See a Doctor Because of the Side Effects I Experience From Shingrix?
- How Can I Pay For Shingrix?
Obstacles To Getting Vaccinated
Despite the fact that the small, but vocal, group of individuals who oppose vaccinations remains strong, Jain says she hasnt encountered much opposition to getting vaccinated among her patients.
A lot of patients will actually come to me asking how they can get the shingles vaccination, so I actually have experienced the opposite, she said. Theres a very small percentage of patients, Id say under 10 percent, that are very averse to getting vaccinations, though.
Jain said that with these patients, their concerns often center around possible adverse effects from the vaccination, fears that theyll contract shingles by getting the vaccination, or the belief that since theyve never had the illness, they dont need the vaccine.
Another big concern that patients have is cost, Jain told Healthline in March 2018. Zostavax cost $213, and Shingrix costs about $280 out of pocket.
Prices have fluctuated slightly in 2019, with Shingrix at $185 per injection (.
She explained that even insurance or Medicare coverage doesnt solve the problem.
The issue is that Medicare Part B is not covering it, Medicare Part D is covering part of it, and Medicaid may or may not cover it it really depends on the insurer and the insurance plan, she said. So, I think cost is also a big barrier for patients as well.
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Whats The Difference Between Pcv13 And Ppsv23
| PCV13 | |
| helps protect you against 13 different strains of pneumococcal bacteria | helps protect you against 23 different strains of pneumococcal bacteria |
| usually given four separate times to children under two | generally given once to anyone over 64 |
| generally given only once to adults older than 64 or adults older than 19 if they have an immune condition | given to anyone over 19 who regularly smokes nicotine products like cigarettes or cigars |
- Both vaccines help prevent pneumococcal complications like bacteremia and meningitis.
- Youll need more than one pneumonia shot during your lifetime. A 2016 study found that, if youre over 64, receiving both the PCV13 shot and the PPSV23 shot provide the best protection against all the strains of bacteria that cause pneumonia.
- Dont get the shots too close together. Youll need to wait about a year in between each shot.
- Check with your doctor to make sure youre not allergic to any of the ingredients used to make these vaccines before getting either shot.
- a vaccine made with diphtheria toxoid
- another version of the shot called PCV7
- any previous injections of a pneumonia shot
- are allergic to any ingredients in the shot
- have had severe allergies to a PPSV23 shot in the past
- are very sick
Administration With Other Vaccines
CDC general recommendations advise that recombinant and adjuvanted vaccines, such as Shingrix, can be administered concomitantly, at different anatomic sites, with other adult vaccines. Concomitant administration of Shingrix with Fluarix Quadrivalent has been studied, and there was no evidence for interference in the immune response to either vaccine or safety concerns. Evaluation of co-administration of Shingrix with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine and Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine, Adsorbed is ongoing. The safety and efficacy of administration of two adjuvanted vaccines , either concomitantly or at other intervals, have not been evaluated.
Shingrix and pneumococcal vaccine may be administered at the same visit if the person is eligible for both. When both pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV13 and PPSV23 are recommended for an adult, PCV13 should always be administered first and may be administered concomitantly with Shingrix.
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If I Develop Shingles How Long Does It Last And Are There Any Long
Active symptoms typically last an average of 10 to 15 days, although these symptoms can linger depending on how extensive the affected area is. Some people develop blisters that leak fluid before crusting over. Patients can also experience flu-like symptoms, including body aches, fever, chills, and fatigue. It typically takes four to six weeks for all the symptoms of shingles to resolve.
Postherpetic neuralgia is the worst complication of shingles and the risk of experiencing this complication increases with age. PHN is a severe nerve pain that can last from days or weeks to months or even years in extreme cases. Anyone whose rash occurs on the scalp, neck and shoulder area may be at an increased risk of experiencing PHN. While the majority of individuals who get shingles will not have PHN, it can be debilitating for those who do experience it.
Who Should Get The Shingles Vaccine
Shingrix® is recommended for adults 50 years of age and older. This includes those who have had shingles or received Zostavax® II. You should wait at least 1 year before getting Shingrix® if you had shingles or received Zostavax® II.
Zostavax® II may be given to adults 50 years of age and older who cannot get Shingrix® due to a life-threatening reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or to any part of the vaccine.
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What Should You Do If You Have Shingles
These simple steps can help you reduce the severity and spread of shingles:
- Cover the rash at all times
- Do not touch or scratch the rash
- Wash hands often to prevent the spread of the virus
- Before the rash develops crusts, avoid contact with:
- pregnant women who have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it
- premature or low birth-weight infants
- people with weakened immune systems including those receiving immunosuppressive medications or undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, and people with HIV.
About Dr Janna Lachtchinina
Dr. Janna Lachtchinina received her medical degree from one of the top universities in Russia and completed her training at a George Washington University affiliated hospital. She is board certified in internal medicine and is focused on treating chronic medical conditions as well as acute disease management and preventive healthcare.
Learn more about Dr. Goswami and Dr. Lachtchinina by visiting .
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About Dr Alpana Goswami
Dr. Alpana Goswami received her medical degree from Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, India. She completed residencies at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Greater Baltimore Medical Center. She is board certified in internal medicine and has a special focus on diabetes, hypertension, hyperlidemia, heart disease, obesity and fitness. Dr. Goswami previously served as the chair of internal medicine at Suburban Hospital.
What Are The Side Effects
Because the vaccine helps your body create a strong defense against shingles, you are likely to have temporary side effects from getting the shots. You may experience side effects after either dose or after both doses, which may include:
- Redness, soreness, swelling at the site of the vaccination
- Tiredness, muscle pain, headache, shivering, fever, stomach pain, nausea
About 1 out of 6 people who got Shingrix experienced side effects that prevented them from doing regular activities. Symptoms usually went away on their own in about 2 to 3 days.3
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Simultaneous Administration With Other Vaccines
RZV and LZV may be administered concomitantly with other live vaccines given by the parenteral, oral, or intranasal routes. For concomitant parenteral injections, different injection sites and separate needles and syringes should be used.
In general, inactivated vaccines including RZV may be administered concomitantly with, or at any time before or after, other inactivated vaccines or live vaccines protecting against a different disease.
LZV may be given at any time before or after live oral or intranasal vaccines. If two live parenteral vaccines are not administered concomitantly, there should be a period of at least 4 weeks before the second live parenteral vaccine is given.
Concomitant administration of pneumococcal 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine and LZV has not resulted in decreased efficacy and so the two vaccines can be given concomitantly.
For more information, refer to Timing of Vaccine Administration in Part 1.
Is There Anything Else You Think Is Important For People To Know About The Shingles Virus Or The Vaccine
The best way to prevent shingles and avoid its complications is to get vaccinated. Data shows that almost everyone older than age 40 has been exposed to chickenpox at some point. Even if you dont remember having chickenpox as a child, you should get the vaccine.
Glen P. Carlson, MD, HealthPartners
*According to the CDC website: Zostavax is no longer available for use in the United States, as of November 18, 2020. If you had Zostavax in the past, you should still get Shingrix. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine the best time to get Shingrix.
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Shingrix For Prevention Of Shingles
Shingrix is a vaccine thats used to prevent shingles in adults ages 50 and older. Its not approved for use in adults younger than 50. Also, its not meant for use in preventing chickenpox .
Effectiveness for prevention of shingles
Shingrix has been found to be effective in helping to prevent shingles. For details on how the drug performed in clinical studies, see Shingrixs prescribing information.
Shingrix And Other Vaccines
Shingrix is generally safe to use with or after administration of certain other vaccines. If you have concerns about whether other vaccines might interact with Shingrix, ask your doctor.
Shingrix after Zostavax
Studies such as this one from 2018 shown that the Zostavax vaccine can wear off over time. Because of this, you can get Shingrix even if youve already received Zostavax. recommends that you wait at least eight weeks after receiving Zostavax before you get Shingrix.
In a of adults ages 65 and older who had received Zostavax at least five years previously, Shingrix was shown to be safe and effective. No studies have tested Shingrix in people who received Zostavax within five years.
Shingrix and the flu shot
There is no evidence showing any negative effects from taking Shingrix together with the flu vaccine. According to a study of adults ages 50 and older, getting both the shingles and flu vaccines at the same time was safe. Also, it didnt make either vaccine less effective.
The Food and Drug Administration approves vaccines such as Shingrix to prevent certain conditions.
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What Are Shingle Vaccine Side Effects
The shingles vaccines are safe and effective, but they can cause side effects. Common side effects include headache, fever, and fatigue. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are other common side effects.
A person may experience soreness, redness, and swelling on the site where the vaccine was given. People who get the Zostavax vaccine may experience a rash and itching on the site.
After you get the vaccine, stay at the clinic for at least 20 minutes. The staff will make sure you’re good to go. They will also make sure you don’t suffer a severe allergic reaction.
A person who experiences a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine will manifest different symptoms. These include hives and swelling of various parts of the body. Shortness of breath is another symptom that can come up.
If the staff determines a person has a severe allergic reaction, they will call 9-1-1. This type of issue is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment. A person who suffers a severe allergic reaction after leaving the clinic should report it to their health care provider.
Do I Really Need The Shingles Vaccine
If youve ever had chicken poxa blistery, itchy disease thats most common in childrenthen you could also develop shingles at some point.
The varicella virus causes chicken pox, then goes latent in the nerve cells throughout your body, says Elisabeth Cohen, MD, professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and shingles researcher at NYU Langone Health. At any point in life, the virus could reactivate as herpes zoster, or shingles.
Shingles symptoms usually emerge as severe pain and blisters on one side of the body.
Studies have shown that people go to the emergency room because it’s a pain like they’ve never had, Dr. Cohen says. The shingles diagnosis is usually made when the rash follows, which can include red spots and blisters. The rash can be severe or relatively mild, but its usually in the distribution of a single nerve on one side of your body.
Although the shingles rash can be treated with antiviral medications, the viruss long-term effects can be severe. Shingles increases stroke and heart disease risk and may spread to nerves in ways that can cause lifelong pain , blindness in one eye, deafness in one ear, and other highly debilitating or deadly problems.
Shingles can really devastate peoples well-being for the rest of their lives, says Dr. Cohen.
The only way to avoid these serious risks is to prevent shingles altogether by getting vaccinated against the disease.
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