Shingles Vaccine

What is the shingles vaccine?

The shingles vaccine is an injection (shot) that can reduce your risk of getting shingles. Shingles is a painful rash you can develop decades after having chickenpox. The shot can also reduce your risk of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), chronic pain after a shingles infection, if you do get shingles.

In the U.S., Shingrix™ (recombinant zoster vaccine) is currently the only shingles shot. In the past, you may have received Zostavax®, which is no longer available in the U.S.

Who should get the shingles vaccine?

In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults age 50 and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine, two to six months apart. You should also get vaccinated if you’re 19 or older and have a compromised immune system.

You should get the shingles vaccine even if you:

• Have had shingles. If you’ve had shingles in the past, you should get the vaccine to help prevent getting shingles again. Wait until the shingles rash is gone before getting your first shot.
• Received the old shingles vaccine (Zostavax). If you got Zostavax in the past, you should get the new shingles vaccine, Shingrix, to be protected.

If you’re not sure if you’ve had chickenpox, talk to your provider about what they recommend. They may want to do titer testing, a blood test that measures the presence and amount of certain antibodies that you have. This can tell you if you’ve had chickenpox before.

Who shouldn’t get the shingles vaccine?

You shouldn’t get the shingles vaccine if you:

• Have had a severe allergic reaction to the shingles vaccine in the past
• Have tested negative for immunity to the varicella-zoster virus with a titer test, meaning you’ve never had chickenpox (you should get the chickenpox vaccine instead)

You should wait to get the shingles vaccine if you:

• Currently have shingles
• Are sick
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding

How is the shingles vaccine given?

A healthcare provider will give you a shot in your upper arm. You’ll get a second dose two to six months later.

How long does the shingles vaccine last?

You should have a high level of protection for at least seven years after the Shingrix vaccine. There are currently no boosters after you’ve had the first two shots.

What side effects can the shingles vaccine cause?

Temporary side effects of shingles shots may include:

• Pain or soreness at the injection site
• Redness or swelling at the injection site
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Headache
• Fever
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea

Severe reactions are extremely rare. Call 911 or your local emergency services number, or go to the emergency room if you develop signs of an allergic reaction, including:

• Hives
• Swelling of your face and throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Rapid heartbeat
• Dizziness
• Weakness

How long after I’ve received the shingles vaccine am I contagious?

You’re not contagious after getting the Shingrix vaccine. The old vaccine, Zostavax, used a weakened form of the live varicella-zoster virus, so it was possible to spread a form of the virus to people around you.

Shingrix isn’t a live vaccine. It uses only a small part of the virus that can’t infect you or anyone else.

Can you get shingles after you’ve been vaccinated?

The shingles vaccine is highly effective. But some people can still get shingles after getting the shot. People who do usually have milder symptoms and a shorter illness. You’ll also be less likely to develop complications from shingles, including postherpetic neuralgia.

Can you get shingles if you’ve had the chickenpox vaccine?

Some people get shingles years after they received the chickenpox vaccine. But it’s much more common to get shingles after having chickenpox.