When To See A Doctor For The Possible Side Effects Of A Shingle Vaccine
Most side effects of the shingles vaccine will resolve on their own within a few days of vaccination or can be treated with over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
In the rare case that you develop a more serious reaction after vaccination, you should call a doctor or go to a health clinic.
Medical emergency
Its rare but possible to have a serious allergic reaction to a shingles vaccine. Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience the following symptoms after a vaccination:
When Should You Get Vaccinated Against Shingles
Most people should be vaccinated against shingles at ages 50 and over. People ages 18 and over who have health conditions or take medications that can weaken the immune system should consider getting the shingles vaccine before age 50.
For people receiving the vaccine at ages 50 and over, there is no particular time and no maximum age when you should be vaccinated.
Vaccination against shingles can be done on its own or alongside other vaccinations, like for the flu or pneumonia. Generally, the vaccine is given in two doses, with the second dose given 2 to 6 months after the first dose.
For people who are receiving the shingles vaccine because of an immune deficiency, the second dose can be given sooner: 1 to 2 months after the first dose.
In this case, if possible, shingles vaccination should be timed with your immune response. This could mean waiting until after a flare-up of your condition has subsided or getting the vaccine before you receive certain immune-suppressing medications.
7 years and remains effective afterward.
Speak with a doctor about how often you should be vaccinated for shingles based on your specific immune system and health concerns.
The shingles vaccine that is currently available in the United States was introduced in 2017, so you may have questions about it. Below are answers to some of the most common questions.
Who Should Not Get The Shingles Vaccine
You should not get Shingrix if you:
- Have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccine or after a dose of Shingrix
- Are not immune to the virus that causes chickenpox if you test negative for immunity, youll need to get the chickenpox vaccine
- Currently have shingles
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
If youre sick and have a fever of 101.3°F or higher, youll need to wait until youre feeling better to get the shingles vaccine.
Side effects are usually mild and go away in a few days. They may include:
- Pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given
You May Like: How To Relieve Symptoms Of Shingles
When Should I See A Doctor Because Of The Side Effects I Experience From Shingrix
Shingrix causes a strong response in your immune system, so it may produce short-term side effects. These side effects can be uncomfortable, but they are expected and usually go away on their own in 2 or 3 days. You may choose to take over-the-counter pain medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Contact your healthcare provider if the symptoms are not improving or if they are getting worse.
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 might 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.
What Is Pneumococcal Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. Pneumonia is categorized by the type of germ causing it and where you got the infection. Many different germs, including both viruses and bacteria, can cause pneumonia. One of the more common types of pneumonia in adults worldwide, pneumococcal pneumonia, is caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia include:
Fever and chills
Cough, often producing rusty-colored pus discharge
Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Confusion
Weakness
If you think you have pneumonia, seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially if you’re experiencing breathing problems, chest pain and/or confusion. These symptoms can be serious and require immediate medical attention.
Complications of pneumococcal pneumonia include a collection of pus in the lungs and inflammation of the lining surrounding the heart .
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , pneumococcal pneumonia causes about 150,000 hospitalizations each year in the US, and about 1 in 20 of those infected will die from the disease.
You May Like: Can Shingles Break Out On Your Legs
Know The Benefits And The Side Effects
Shingrix is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and long-term nerve pain. You may experience some short-term side effects because Shingrix causes a strong response in your immune system.
After getting Shingrix:
- Most people had a sore arm.
- Many people had redness and swelling where they got the shot .
- Many felt tired, had muscle pain, a headache, shivering, fever, stomach pain, or nausea.
About 1 out of 6 people who got Shingrix experienced side effects that prevented them from doing regular activities like yardwork or swimming. Side effects usually go away after 2 to 3 days. Remember that the pain from shingles can last a lifetime, and these side effects should only last a few days.
Who Should Not Get Zostavax
Some people should not get shingles vaccine :
The Shingles Prevention Study involved individuals age 60 years and older and found that Zostavax significantly reduced disease in this age group. The vaccine is currently recommended for persons 60 years of age and older.
- A person who has ever had a life-threatening or severe allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or any other component of shingles vaccine. Tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies.
- A person who has a weakened immune system because of:
- HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system,
- treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids,
- cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy, or
- cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, such as leukemia or lymphoma.
Someone with a minor acute illness, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. But anyone with a moderate or severe acute illness should usually wait until they recover before getting the vaccine. This includes anyone with a temperature of 101.3°F or higher.
This information was taken from the Shingles Vaccine Information Statement dated 10/06/2009.
Also Check: Where Can You Get A Shingles Shot
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Shingrix
Studies show that Shingrix is safe. The vaccine helps your body create a strong defense against shingles. As a result, you are likely to have temporary side effects from getting the shots. The side effects might affect your ability to do normal daily activities for 2 to 3 days.
Most people got a sore arm with mild or moderate pain after getting Shingrix, and some also had redness and swelling where they got the shot. Some people felt tired, had muscle pain, a headache, shivering, fever, stomach pain, or nausea. Some people who got Shingrix experienced side effects that prevented them from doing regular activities. Symptoms went away on their own in about 2 to 3 days. Side effects were more common in younger people.
You might have a reaction to the first or second dose of Shingrix, or both doses. If you experience side effects, you may choose to take over-the-counter pain medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Guillain-Barré syndrome , a serious nervous system disorder, has been reported very rarely after Shingrix. There is also a very small increased risk of GBS after having shingles.
If you experience side effects from Shingrix, you should report them to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System . Your doctor might file this report, or you can do it yourself through the VAERS websiteexternal icon, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
If you have any questions about side effects from Shingrix, talk with your doctor.
Newly Recommended More Effective Shingles Vaccine Available At All Wegmans Pharmacies
Rochester, N.Y., Feb 26, 2018Shingrix, the new, more effective shingles vaccine recently recommended by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , is now available at all Wegmans Food Market pharmacies, with no appointment or prescription necessary.
The CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of Shingrix, separated by two to six months, to protect against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia , the most common complication from shingles.
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October 2017, Shingrix is now the preferred shingles vaccine with an effective rate of more than 90 percent for the prevention of shingles and PHN, compared to the previously recommended vaccine, Zostavax, that reduced the risk of shingles and PHN by 51 percent and 67 percent, respectively.
We want to help our customers stay healthy by providing easy, convenient access to the most effective vaccinations available, said Katie Niles, Wegmans pharmacist and pharmacy clinical wellness services manager. Because Shingrix has a much higher rate of effectiveness, it is recommended that all adults 50 and older, including those who received the previously available vaccine, receive the Shingrix vaccine to reduce their risk.
The CDCs recommendation of Shingrix means approximately 42 million adults aged 50-59 years old and 20 million who have previously been vaccinated against shingles may be eligible to receive the new vaccination.
Press Contact:
Recommended Reading: How To Prepare For Shingles Vaccine
What Are The Benefits Of The Shingles Vaccine
The shingles vaccines are the best way to protect you from getting shingles. The vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of getting shingles by 50% for Zostavax® II, and to more than 90% for Shingrix®.
For those who still get shingles after being immunized, the vaccines can reduce pain, including the type of pain that lasts after shingles.
Learn How A Trip To Your Local Pharmacy Can Protect You Against A Painful Shingles Infection
Medically reviewed in May 2022
Anyone who has ever had chickenpox is at risk for shingles. Both conditions are caused by the varicella-zoster virus. After a bout of chickenpox resolves, this virus remains in the body in a dormant state, taking up residence in nerve tissues. Years later, the virus can reactivate and cause shingles. Its estimated that one in three people will experience shingles during their lifetime.
Shingles causes a red, blistering, painful rash that often appears in a strip on one side of the torsothough it can also occur on the face, neck, and around the eyes. The pain can be intense. People may also experience itching, burning, tingling, and numbness. Between 10 and 18 percent of people with shingles experience a complication called postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN, nerve pain that lasts for months or even years.
Fortunately, there is a vaccine that can protect you against shingles, and you can get this vaccine at most pharmacies. Getting vaccinated at a pharmacy can be helpful to people who may want to avoid medical offices during the coronavirus pandemic.
Vaccinations are an important part of preventive care for people of all ages. During the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends following the vaccination guidelines as closely as possible. For adults over the age of 50, this includes getting the shingles vaccine.
Here are some tips for booking your appointment and getting the shingles vaccine:
You May Like: When Can You Get A Shingles Shot
What Are The Symptoms Of Shingles
Shingles is a painful rash that develops on one side of the face or body. The rash forms blisters that typically scab over in 7-10 days. Shingles typically takes 2-4 weeks to clear up.
People often feel pain, itching, or tingling in the area 1-5 days before the rash appears.
Most commonly, shingles forms a single stripe of rash on either the left or right hemisphere of the body. Occasionally, the rash occurs on one side of the face. Less commonly, the rash looks similar to chickenpox and is spread more liberally . Shingles can sometimes affect the eyes and cause loss of vision.
Other symptoms of shingles can include fever, headache, chills and upset stomach.
What Are The Side Effects
The shingles vaccines are very safe.
Common side effects to the vaccines include headache as well as soreness, redness and swelling where the vaccine was given. Itching and a rash may also occur after getting Zostavax® II. Other reactions that may occur after getting Shingrix® include fever, muscle soreness, fatigue, shivering, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
It is important to stay in the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine because there is an extremely rare possibility of anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction. This may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue, or lips. The chance of true anaphylaxis is about 1 in 1 million vaccine doses. Should this reaction occur, your health care provider is prepared to treat it. Emergency treatment includes administration of epinephrine and transfer by ambulance to the nearest emergency department. If symptoms develop after you leave the clinic, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number. Learn more about anaphylaxis on our vaccine side effects page.
It is important to always report serious or unexpected reactions to your health care provider.
You May Like: Can You Get Shingles From The Shingles Shot
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
What Kinds Of Vaccines Does Cvs Offer
CVS Pharmacy offers a full list of vaccines. Among the most commonly requested ones are:
-
Influenza : The flu vaccine is offered on a seasonal basis. Two different kinds are available. Four-strain flu vaccine protects against four strains of the virus for children and adults. The high-dose or senior-dose flu vaccine is for people age 65 and older.
-
Shingles: The shingles vaccine is recommended for people age 50 and older. It is given in two doses spaced 2 to 6 months apart.
-
COVID-19: The long-awaited coronavirus vaccine is finally available to all adults age 16 and older starting April 19 and earlier in many places. A vaccine for younger teens and children is expected later this year.
-
Tdap: The CDC recommends the combination tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine for adolescents and adults every 10 years to protect against all three infections.
Each state has its own age requirements and other vaccine restrictions, so be sure to check your local stores rules before heading to CVS.
You May Like: How Can You Test For Shingles
Do I Have To Make An Appointment
The COVID-19 vaccine requires making an appointment ahead of time at CVS.com. Most other vaccines are available on a walk-in basis. Same-day appointments are often available online. You can also answer the vaccine-specific questionnaire online instead of filling it out in person.
You may want to call ahead to your local CVS Pharmacy and make sure your desired vaccine is in stock. You can also check to see if theres a wait at the store or clinic.
Where To Get The Shingles Vaccine
Thinking its time to get a shingles vaccination? Pharmacas pharmacists and medical professionals are some of the best in their field. Their focus is on individual counsel and care for every patient who comes to one of our many locations.
We also offer a broad spectrum of immunizations recommended by the CDC for common health concerns and before traveling abroad. Other immunizations we provide include flu, whooping cough, pneumonia and many more, some of which are available on a walk-in basis at any Pharmaca pharmacy.
We also accept most major insurance plans, meaning you wont have to worry about paying out of pocket for a vaccine you may need.
Thinking of getting a shingles vaccination? to schedule an appointment.
Don’t Miss: Where Can I Dispose Of Shingles
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.
Shingrix Vaccine For Shingles Prevention: What Pharmacists Should Know
Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, PACSSupplements
About 1 out of 3 people in the United States will develop shingles, and there are about 1 million cases each year.
View the PDF here.
Shingrix was approved in October 2017 for adults 50 years and older for the prevention of herpes zoster .1 Shingles develops after the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus , the same virus that causes chicken pox. It is a painful rash that generally occurs on one side of the body, usually the face or torso. Complications may include postherpetic neuralgia ophthalmic involvement, and bacterial infection. These complications can lead to hospitalization or even death. About 1 out of 3 people in the United States will develop shingles, and there are about 1 million cases each year. The risk of shingles and PHN increases with age.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
PHARMACOLOGY
Shingrix has been shown to boost VZV-specific immune response with the adjuvant known as ASO1B, which is thought to protect against shingles.2 Additionally, VZV glycoprotein E is essential for viral replication and cell-to-cell spread, and is the primary target of VZV-specific immune responses. Shingrix does not contain preservatives.
HOW SUPPLIED
Shingrix is supplied as 2 components, including the adjuvant and antigen .
STORAGE
DRUG INTERACTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
ADVERSE REACTIONS
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION
PEDIATRIC POPULATION
CONCOMITANT VACCINE ADMINISTRATION
CLINICAL STUDIES
VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS
Don’t Miss: What To Do For Shingles In The Eye