Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy Get ItRepeat ShinglesWho Shouldn’t Get ItScheduleIngredientsSide EffectsInsuranceWhere to Get VaccinatedFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why Get It
Repeat Shingles
Who Shouldn’t Get It
Schedule
Ingredients
Side Effects
Insurance
Where to Get Vaccinated
Frequently Asked Questions
There is an available vaccine,Shingrix, that can help preventshingles. Read on to learn more about its benefits and risks.
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Reasons to Get the Shingles Vaccine
Once a person develops chickenpox after contracting the varicella-zoster virus, the virus never leaves the body. It remains dormant in thenerve rootsand can reappear as shingles later in life.
The primary symptom of shingles is a painful rash on one side of the body, most often on the torso or face. People initially have pain or a burning sensation on the skin without a rash, and then painful blisters develop. The rash lasts approximately seven to 10 days and fully clears within two to four weeks.
The likelihood of developing shingles increases dramatically after age 50. Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults age 50 and over receive two doses of Shingrix to prevent shingles. The vaccine is recommended even if a person is unsure if they have ever had chickenpox.
Avoid Repeat Shingles
If you already have had shingles, the vaccine can help protect you against getting it again. You do not need to wait a specific amount of time after having shingles before receiving the vaccine, but generally, the rash should be resolved.
Almost 1 out of 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime, but most people only have it once.
Complications of ShinglesShingles can lead to serious complications. The most common complication of shingles ispostherpetic neuralgia, or severe pain in the rash area that lasts for months or years. Approximately 10%–18% of people will experience this complication, and the risk of the complication increases with age.Other rare complications of shingles can include:Blindness due to eye involvementPneumoniaHearing problemsEncephalitis(inflammation of the brain)Rarely, death
Complications of Shingles
Shingles can lead to serious complications. The most common complication of shingles ispostherpetic neuralgia, or severe pain in the rash area that lasts for months or years. Approximately 10%–18% of people will experience this complication, and the risk of the complication increases with age.Other rare complications of shingles can include:Blindness due to eye involvementPneumoniaHearing problemsEncephalitis(inflammation of the brain)Rarely, death
Shingles can lead to serious complications. The most common complication of shingles ispostherpetic neuralgia, or severe pain in the rash area that lasts for months or years. Approximately 10%–18% of people will experience this complication, and the risk of the complication increases with age.
Other rare complications of shingles can include:
A person should not get Shingrix if:
If you are experiencing a moderate to severe illness, with afeveror not, you should consider waiting until you are better before getting the vaccine.
Shingles vs. Chickenpox VaccineA person who tests negative for immunity to the varicella-zoster virus has not had chickenpox. Therefore, they should receive thechickenpox vaccineinstead of the shingles vaccine.
Shingles vs. Chickenpox Vaccine
A person who tests negative for immunity to the varicella-zoster virus has not had chickenpox. Therefore, they should receive thechickenpox vaccineinstead of the shingles vaccine.
Can You Get the Shingles Vaccine With Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Shingles Vaccine Schedule
Shingrix is a two-shot vaccine series. People should receive theirsecond shottwo to six months after their first shot.
Shingles Vaccine Ingredients
Shingrix is a recombinant vaccine. This means it contains a protein from a killed virus that helps create an immune response. It does not have a live virus.
Additionally, Shingrix is not egg-based, and it does not containthimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative.
Shingrix vs. Zostavax
Zostavaxwas a shingles vaccine that contained live, weakened virus. As of late 2020, Zostavax is no longer available in the United States. Its manufacturer pulled it from the market.
Shortly before its discontinuation, the FDA asked for a label change that would indicate there was a risk of developing chickenpox or shingles with the live vaccine and that it could potentially cause a severe problem with the eyes.
People who previously received the Zostavax vaccine should now consider getting Shingrix.
Shingrix vs Zostavax: Which Is Better?
Shingrix Vaccine Side Effects
The most common side effects of the shingles vaccine include:
Some research has shown that there might be an increased risk ofGuillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disorder in which the immune system attacks the nerves, in adults age 65 and older who receive the shingles vaccine.One study showed that the risk occurred during 42 days of follow-up after vaccination.However, other safety studies have not been conducted to reaffirm this information.
How Effective Is Shingrix?Shingrix is 97% effective in preventing shingles in people ages 50–69 years, and 91% effective in people age 70 and older.A person still has a small risk of developing shingles even if vaccinated.
How Effective Is Shingrix?
Shingrix is 97% effective in preventing shingles in people ages 50–69 years, and 91% effective in people age 70 and older.A person still has a small risk of developing shingles even if vaccinated.
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 planscover 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.
Shingrix is available at pharmacies and healthcare providers' offices.The maker of the vaccine offers a vaccine locator on thiswebsite. They recommend calling ahead to confirm that your chosen location has the vaccine in stock.
Summary
Shingrix is a highly effective vaccine that can reduce a person’s risk of developing shingles and painful complications. The CDC recommends vaccination for adults age 50 and over, or any adult who is immunocompromised. It is a two-shot series offered in healthcare offices and pharmacies.
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked QuestionsShingrix is highly effective. It is 97% effective in preventing shingles in people ages 50–69 years, and 91% effective in people age 70 and older.A person has a small risk of developing shingles if vaccinated.If a person knows for sure that they have never had chickenpox and they have tested negative for immunity to varicella-zoster, then they should be vaccinated with the chickenpox vaccine instead. However, chickenpox immunity testing is not required before receiving the shingles vaccine. And, shingles vaccination is indicated even if chickenpox infection history is unknown.Severe allergic reactions to this vaccine are infrequent. The only way to know if you are allergic to Shingrix is to develop allergy symptoms after the first dose. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heart rate, dizziness, and weakness. These symptoms usually develop a few minutes to a few hours after vaccination.There is a chance that a person can develop shingles even if vaccinated, since no vaccine is 100% effective.
Shingrix is highly effective. It is 97% effective in preventing shingles in people ages 50–69 years, and 91% effective in people age 70 and older.A person has a small risk of developing shingles if vaccinated.
If a person knows for sure that they have never had chickenpox and they have tested negative for immunity to varicella-zoster, then they should be vaccinated with the chickenpox vaccine instead. However, chickenpox immunity testing is not required before receiving the shingles vaccine. And, shingles vaccination is indicated even if chickenpox infection history is unknown.
Severe allergic reactions to this vaccine are infrequent. The only way to know if you are allergic to Shingrix is to develop allergy symptoms after the first dose. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heart rate, dizziness, and weakness. These symptoms usually develop a few minutes to a few hours after vaccination.
There is a chance that a person can develop shingles even if vaccinated, since no vaccine is 100% effective.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles (herpes zoster).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles vaccination.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Shingrix.GlaxoSmithKline.Shingrix.GlaxoSmithKline.Shingrix: mechanism of action.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What everyone should know about Zostavax.US Food and Drug Administration.FDA requires a warning about Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) be included in the prescribing information for Shingrix.GlaxoSmithKline.Shingrix: cost and coverage.GlaxoSmithKline.Shingrix: vaccine locator.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles (herpes zoster).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles vaccination.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Shingrix.GlaxoSmithKline.Shingrix.GlaxoSmithKline.Shingrix: mechanism of action.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What everyone should know about Zostavax.US Food and Drug Administration.FDA requires a warning about Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) be included in the prescribing information for Shingrix.GlaxoSmithKline.Shingrix: cost and coverage.GlaxoSmithKline.Shingrix: vaccine locator.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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US Food and Drug Administration.FDA requires a warning about Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) be included in the prescribing information for Shingrix.
GlaxoSmithKline.Shingrix: cost and coverage.
GlaxoSmithKline.Shingrix: vaccine locator.
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