What If There Is A Serious Problem
An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a severe allergic reaction , call 9-1-1 and get the person to the nearest hospital.
For other signs that concern you, call your health care provider.
Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System . Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff do not give medical advice.
Risks Of A Vaccine Reaction
- A sore arm with mild or moderate pain is very common after recombinant shingles vaccine, affecting about 80% of vaccinated people. Redness and swelling can also happen at the site of the injection.
- Tiredness, muscle pain, headache, shivering, fever, stomach pain, and nausea happen after vaccination in more than half of people who receive recombinant shingles vaccine.
In clinical trials, about 1 out of 6 people who got recombinant zoster vaccine experienced side effects that prevented them from doing regular activities. Symptoms usually went away on their own in 2 to 3 days.
You should still get the second dose of recombinant zoster vaccine even if you had one of these reactions after the first dose.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
What Are The Common Side Effects Of The Shingles Shot
There are a few common side effects of Shingrix. They tend to happen more frequently in younger people. Most commonly, people experience mild to moderate upper arm pain where the shot was given. This can also include redness and swelling at the injection site.
Other common side effects include:
-
Shivering
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What Vaccines Can Help Prevent Shingles
There is currently one vaccine available in the U.S. to prevent shingles. Shingrix was approved in 2017 and it is more than 90% effective in preventing shingles. With Shingrix, you get two shots between 2 and 6 months apart and protection lasts an estimated 4-5 years. Doctors recommend it for healthy people over 50 as well as those 19 years of age and older who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed due to disease or therapy..
An earlier vaccine called Zostavax was removed from the market in 2020. That vaccine used a weak form of the chickenpox virus to send your bodyâs immune system into action to fight the disease. Shingrix does not. If you received the Zostavax vaccine, it is recommended that you also receive Shingrix.
People With A Weakened Immune System
Previously some people with a weakened immune system were previously unable to receive the Shingles vaccine.
This is because the vaccine recommended for most people is a live vaccine called Zostavax. It contains a weakened chickenpox virus which is similar to the chickenpox vaccine. People with a severely weakened immune system cannot have live vaccines.
From autumn 2021 however, they will be eligible for a new non-live vaccine called Shingrix® which is proven to be safe in those with a weakened immune system.
You GP will make contact to arrange an appointment and discuss this with you, if you were aged 70 on 1 September 2021 and were born between 2 September 1950 and 1 September 1951.
If you are aged between 71 and 79, and previously could not receive the shingles vaccine due to a weakened immune system, ask your GP for advice.
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Shingles Is Painful But Preventable
One third of the population will experience shingles at some point in their life. Fortunately the Food and Drug Administration recently approved a vaccine Shingrix that boasts a greater than 90% prevention rate for vaccinated individuals. The significant success rate of the vaccine exceeds the previous vaccine Zostavax and is now recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for eligible individuals 50 years and older.
What is shingles?
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a painful skin rash that develops on one side of the face or body. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus , the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox in the past can get shingles because VZV remains in the body after a person recovers from chickenpox. VZV can reactivate many years later, causing shingles.
Shingles is more common in older adults, people who have medical conditions that weaken the immune system, and people who take medications that suppress their immune systems. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent shingles.
What are some of the symptoms of shingles?
The signs normally appear in a small section on only one side of the body. These signs and symptoms may include:
- Intense pain
- Blistering rash that lasts 7-10 days
Some people may also experience:
- Headache
Management includes antiviral therapy and supportive care to help relieve the associated discomfort.
What can I do to prevent shingles?
When Should I See A Doctor Because Of The Side Effects I Experience From Shingrix
In clinical trials, Shingrix was not associated with serious adverse events. In fact, serious side effects from vaccines are extremely rare. For example, for every 1 million doses of a vaccine given, only one or two people may have a severe allergic reaction. Signs of an allergic reaction happen within minutes or hours after vaccination and include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness. If you experience these or any other life-threatening symptoms, see a doctor right away.
Shingrix causes a strong response in your immune system, so it may produce short-term side effects more intense than you are used to from other vaccines. These side effects can be uncomfortable, but they are expected and usually go away on their own in 2 or 3 days.
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Complications Following Shingles Vaccine Are Serious In About 3% Of Cases: Cdc
Amid continuing concerns about reports of problems with the single-dose Zostavax shingles vaccine, a new report reviewed adverse reactions to the newer, double-dose Shingrix vaccine, indicating that about three percent of those reactions resulted in serious injuries or complications.
GlaxoSmithKlines Shingrix vaccine is believed to be safer and more effective for prevention of shingles among older adults, and has largely replaced the older live-virus Zostavax vaccine, which has been linked to reports of more severe and persistent shingles outbreaks and auto-immune complications in recent years.
In the latest issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report , health officials indicate that at least 4,381 reports of adverse events have been received involving shingles inoculation with Shingrix, about 130 of them are classified as serious, including seven deaths. However, it is unclear whether the deaths were tied directly to the vaccine.
When Should I Get The Shingles Vaccine
You can get the shingles vaccine even if you do not know if you had chickenpox. You can also get the vaccine even if you have already had shingles.
- The recombinant zoster vaccine is a 2-dose series. The second dose is given 2 to 6 months after the first dose. Adults 50 years or older and adults 19 years and older with a weakened immune system may get the vaccine. You can also get this vaccine if you were given the live zoster vaccine before. This vaccine does not contain any live virus.
- The live zoster vaccine is no longer used in the US but may be used in other countries. This vaccine may be used if you have not received the shingles vaccine before. The vaccine is given in 1 dose to adults age 60 years or older. The vaccine may also relieve pain if you get shingles even after you get the vaccine.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Shingles
The most common symptoms are pain, itching or tingling of the skin. This is followed by a painful rash with blisters. The rash is usually only on a small area on one side of the body. Other early symptoms can include headache, fever, chills and nausea. The rash from shingles usually lasts two to four weeks.
How Long After Ive Received The Shingles Vaccine Am I Contagious
With the currently authorized shingles vaccine, Shingrix, you wont be contagious. The old vaccine, Zostavax, used a weakened form of the live varicella-zoster virus. Therefore, people worried about spreading the disease to the people around them.
Shingrix doesnt use a live version of the varicella-zoster virus. It is inactivated, which means it uses a dead version of the virus. Therefore, you have no risk of transmitting the disease to anyone.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
No one likes to get shots, especially for something youve already been vaccinated for. But the newer version of the shingles vaccine is one youll want to offer up your arm for. The Shingrix vaccine is more than 90% effective at helping you prevent shingles. Since most of us have had chickenpox in the past, the shingles vaccine is an easy way to prevent the dormant chickenpox virus from creeping up and hitting you again with shingles.
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Who Shouldn’t Get It
A person should not get Shingrix if:
- They have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine or the first dose of the vaccine.
- They test negative for immunity to varicella-zoster virus.
- They currently have shingles.
- They are pregnant.
If you are experiencing a moderate to severe illness, with a fever or not, you should consider waiting until you are better before getting the vaccine.
Make A Plan To Get 2 Doses
- You can get Shingrix at your doctors office or pharmacy. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting Shingrix.
- Plan to get your second dose of Shingrix 2 to 6 months after your first dose.
Five years later, I still take prescription medication for pain. My shingles rash quickly developed into open, oozing sores that in only a few days required me to be hospitalized. I could not eat, sleep, or perform even the most minor tasks. It was totally debilitating. The pain still limits my activity levels to this day.
A 63-year-old harpist who was unable to continue playing due to shingles
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Shingles Vaccine And Insurance
Private health insurance plans often cover vaccination costs. Still, a patient might have a charge depending on the specific insurance plan.
Medicaid may or may not cover the vaccine cost. Medicare Part D plans cover the shingles vaccine, but there may be a cost to the patient depending on the plan. Usually, the fees are less than $50 per dose.
Medicare Part B does not cover the shingles vaccine.
Itchy Skin Near The Injection Site
Itchy skin, also called pruritus, can potentially occur near the injection site after receiving Shingrix. Itching, swelling, and redness arent usually a huge cause for concern, as they often occur together as a localized reaction.
Applying Benadryl gel or hydrocortisone cream around the injection area can help reduce itchy, swollen, or red skin. If the itching worsens or spreads away from the injection site, get in touch with your doctor.
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What If Im Not Sure If Ive Had Chickenpox
While nearly all adults ages 50 and up have had chickenpox, it doesn’t affect the decision to get Shingrix. You can still get the vaccine, even if you dont know if youve had chickenpox before.
If you have a weakened immune system and havent had chickenpox, the chickenpox vaccine, or shingles, talk to your healthcare provider. Theyll advise you about getting Shingrix.
Trouble Finding The Vaccine
Because of a Shingrix shortage in the U.S., this preferred shingles vaccine may not be easy to find. The manufacturer is steadily shipping supplies to healthcare providers, says Dooling, but the wait may still be weeks or months.
The CDC has a vaccine finder tool that can help you. Just be sure to call the doctor or pharmacist before you head out to make sure Shingrix is really in stock. You can also ask whether he or she can call you when its available, or whether you can be put on a waitlist.
The CDC recommends two doses of Shingrix two to six months apart. If you cant find a second dose within two to six months of getting the first, however, theres no need to restart the series. Just get it as soon as you can.
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What Are The Side Effects Of The Shingles Vaccine
Just like with any other medication or vaccine, there is always a risk of potential side effects or allergic reactions. The shingles vaccine, however, is considered to be safe and poses a small risk of side effects.
- The Zostavax shingles vaccine may cause:
- Redness, soreness, swelling, or itching at the site of the injection, or
Why Is It Important To Receive A Vaccination Against Shingles
About 33% of adults in the U.S. will develop shingles at some point in their lives. Shingles can cause painful blisters, a rash, chills, and fever, among other symptoms. Many people who have shingles later develop PHN, which can cause long-lasting pain that is difficult to treat.
Getting the Shingrix vaccine can help individuals avoid shingles and PHN and help prevent shingles from spreading to vulnerable people.
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What Does The Shingles Vaccine Do
The shingles vaccine can prevent shingles. Every year, about 1 million people in the United States get shingles. Anyone whos had chickenpox can get shingles. Thats because the varicella-zoster virus lives silently in your nervous system after you’ve had chickenpox. The virus can reactivate later in your life if your immune system is weakened. Your risk of getting shingles goes up as you get older. In the United States, 1 in 3 people will get shingles in their lifetime.
A New Shingles Vaccine: Prepare For Harsher Side Effects
If you’re 50 or older, you’re advised to get immunized to protect yourself from shingles. If the new shingles vaccine made you feel worse than you expected, you’re not alone. Skin rash, joint pain, flu-like symptoms, headaches and fatigue are some complaints from patients who’ve had the recently approved Shingrix vaccine. Side effects can last two or three days, and the injection site in the upper arm can hurt.
The upside is Shingrix provides stronger protection against shingles — a painful condition that wreaks havoc on the nervous system — than previous vaccines. As people get older, they become increasingly vulnerable to developing shingles. Temporary vaccine side effects pale in comparison to shingles’ long-lasting effects on the body, experts says.
One of every three people in the U.S. will eventually develop shingles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caused by the varicella zoster virus — also responsible for chickenpox — shingles is notoriously painful. Once someone has chickenpox, the inactive virus dwells in the body. Decades later, the virus can become active again, now causing shingles.
Early shingles symptoms include numbness, tingling or burning and touch sensitivity. A red rash, usually affecting just one side the body, and itching come next. People may develop blisters that fill with fluid, burst open and crust over. Fever and problems such as headache, fatigue and light sensitivity can also occur.
Weighing Vaccination
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Know Your Risk Of Getting Shingles And Complications
About 1 out of every 3 people in the United States will develop shingles during their lifetime.
If youve had chickenpox, you are at risk for shingles. More than 99% of Americans born before 1980 have had chickenpox, even if they dont remember it.
Your risk of getting shingles and having serious complications increases as you get older.
About 1 in 10 people who get shingles develop nerve pain that lasts for months or years after the rash goes away. This is called postherpetic neuralgia and is the most common complication of shingles.
Shingles may lead to other serious complications involving the eye, including blindness. Very rarely, it can also lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, brain inflammation or death.
What Does It Cost
Most insurances will cover the shingles vaccine, but the coverage varies. The vaccine can be administered at an OSF office under your medical benefits, but some plans, based on your age, will require the vaccine to be administered at a retail pharmacy under your pharmacy benefits.
Out-of-pocket costs will vary by plan and deductible but may be covered as a preventive care benefit. Check with your provider or insurance plan for more details.
Getting the shingles vaccine when you are eligible is the best way to protect yourself from shingles, Jason said. Even if you previously received Zostavax vaccine in the past , Shingrix can provide additional protection and is still recommended for vaccination.
Shingrix is in high demand, which has led to shortages at times. Call ahead to see if its available and ask to be added to the list if theres a wait. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about being vaccinated today.
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The Shingles Vaccine: People 70yrs & Over
Shingles is a condition that is caused when the chickenpox virus reactivates in your body. It can cause severe pain and the pain can last for many months. During an attack of shingles, you can also give chickenpox to people who are not immune to it. An attack of shingles becomes more common as you get older. In Australia, about 1 in 3 people will get an attack of shingles at least once in their lifetime and each year, 20,000 adults aged between 70-79 years will get an attack.
There are now two vaccines available to reduce the risk of getting an attack of shingles. One of them, called Zostavax, is funded by the government for people aged between 70-79 years. Zostavax will reduce the risk of your getting an attack of shingles by 51% and if you do get an attack of shingles, the risk of getting prolonged pain from the attack by 67%.
We can give the Zostavax vaccine to you at this practice. The vaccine is a single injection into your arm muscle. Apart from the usual reactions that people get to vaccines like some pain and redness in your arm after the injection, other side effects from the vaccine are very uncommon.