Interchangeability Of Combination Vaccines From Different Manufacturers
Licensure of a vaccine by FDA does not necessarily indicate that the vaccine is interchangeable with products from other manufacturers. Such data are ascertained and interpreted more readily for diseases with known correlates of protective immunity . For diseases without such surrogate laboratory markers, prelicensure field vaccine efficacy trials or postlicensure surveillance generally are required to determine protection . ACIP prefers that doses of vaccine in a series come from the same manufacturer however, if this is not possible or if the manufacturer of doses given previously is unknown, providers should administer the vaccine that they have available.
What Are The Common Side Effects Of The Shingles Vaccine
- You may feel sore, swollen, or itchy for a few days where the needle was given.
- You may feel unwell for a day or two with headaches, fatigue, fever, flu-like symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
- Tylenol® or ibuprofen may be taken afterwards, as directed, to reduce discomfort or fever.
- If a rash appears, please inform Public Health at 613-966-5500.
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What Are The Side Effects Of The Shingles Vaccine
Most side effects of the shingles vaccine are mild and typically last only 2 to 3 days.
One of the most common side effects of the shingles vaccine is an injection site reaction. This can include redness, swelling, or soreness where you got your shot.
Other side effects can include:
- muscle aches and pains
Side effects felt throughout your body are typically more common after receiving the second and booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Like the shingles vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine side effects typically last only a couple of days.
When COVID-19 and flu circulate at the same time, it has the potential to cause many people to become ill and overburden the healthcare system. As such, its essential to receive both COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
Its safe to receive your COVID-19 and flu vaccine at the same time.
Though were still learning more about giving the COVID-19 vaccine with other vaccines, a found no safety concerns when the COVID-19 and flu vaccine were given at the same time. Also, participants produced expected antibody responses to both vaccines.
The CDC that all people ages 6 months and older get a flu vaccine. The flu vaccine can help prevent illness and reduce the risk of serious flu-related complications in vulnerable individuals, such as:
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How Long To Wait For Other Vaccines Dr Mallika Marshall Answers Covid
BOSTON Dr. Mallika Marshall is answering your coronavirus vaccine-related medical questions. If you have a question for Dr. Mallika, or message her on or .
Dr. Mallika is offering her best advice, but as always, consult your personal doctor before making any decisions about your personal health.
Kathy writes, “My husband and I are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. How long should we wait after receiving our second dose of COVID vaccine to get the shingles vaccine?”
You should wait at least 14 days between getting your COVID-19 vaccine and getting any other vaccines, including the shingles vaccine.
If a booster dose is necessary down the road, it’s unclear whether it will be recommended that you get the same type of vaccine or a different one. There may be some benefit to getting a different one as a way to attack the virus on multiple fronts, and this mix and match approach is currently being studied.
A viewer writes, “I received my first Moderna vaccine on March 7th, tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, and am scheduled for the second shot on Monday. Do I need to reschedule? Does it need to be Moderna?”
You should not get your second dose until you have completed your 10-14 days of isolation and are feeling better with no fever. Even if you have to delay your second dose by a few weeks, that should be okay. Ideally, you should get Moderna for your second shot but if that’s not possible, you can probably get a different one. Good luck and feel better!
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What If I Wait Too Long To Take The Second Shingrix Dose
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that if more than 6 months have passed since you received your first dose, you should get the second dose as soon as possible. You dont have to start the doses all over again.
Also, if you get the second dose within 4 weeks after the first dose, it should not be counted. You should get your follow-up dose at least 1 to 2 months after the first dose, per your doctors recommendation.
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Who Needs A Shingles Vaccine
Shingrix is recommended for adults aged 50 or older. You should still get the vaccine even if youve had shingles in the past, as it is possible to get it again.
You can also get Shingrix if you received Zostavax in the past. This is important because studies have shown that the efficacy of Zostavax over time.
What Side Effects Should I Look Out For
Side effects vary from vaccine to vaccine, according to Privor-Dumm.
According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services website Vaccine.org, common issues include:
- Soreness at the injection site
- A low-grade fever
In very rare cases, you may be allergic to the ingredients in a vaccine or have another severe reaction. If you feel sick in any way after receiving a shot, call your doctor, Privor-Dumm says.
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Spacing Of Multiple Doses Of The Same Antigen
Vaccination providers should adhere to recommended vaccination schedules . Administration at recommended ages and in accordance with recommended intervals between doses of multidose antigens provides optimal protection.
Administration of doses of a multidose vaccine using intervals that are shorter than recommended might be necessary in certain circumstances, such as impending international travel or when a person is behind schedule on vaccinations but needs rapid protection. In these situations, an accelerated schedule can be implemented using intervals between doses that are shorter than intervals recommended for routine vaccination . The accelerated or minimum intervals and ages for scheduling catch-up vaccinations. Vaccine doses should not be administered at intervals less than these minimum intervals or at an age that is younger than the minimum age.*
Certain vaccines produce increased rates of local or systemic reactions in certain recipients when administered more frequently than recommended . Careful record keeping, maintenance of patient histories, use of immunization information systems , and adherence to recommended schedules can decrease the incidence of such reactions without adversely affecting immunity.
Shingrix For Prevention Of Shingles
Shingrix is a vaccine thats used to prevent shingles . Its approved for use in people:
- ages 50 years and older
- ages 18 years and older who have an increased risk of shingles
People with an increased risk of shingles include those with a weakened immune system, such as people with HIV.
Shingrix is 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
state that Shingrix is the preferred vaccine for shingles. They recommend it for:
- all adults ages 50 years and older
- adults ages 18 to 50 years with a weakened immune system
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Is It Safe To Get The Covid
If youve had chickenpox, youre at risk of developing shingles when you get older. The same virus that causes chickenpox can reactivate many years later in your body, perhaps due to a waning immune system, and cause the painful, blistery rash known as shingles. According to the CDC, adults over 50, as well as people 19 and older with compromised immune systems, are encouraged to get the shingles vaccine to prevent shingles infection.
Its a good idea to discuss your individual situation with your doctor, but in most cases, you can get the shingles vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. Early on, as researchers were continuing to gather information about the COVID vaccine, it was recommended to space it out a few weeks from other immunizations. However, as experts learned more, the CDC announced it was safe to give the COVID-19 vaccine along with other vaccines, even on the same day.
Doses Given Before The Recommended Age
Age recommendations for receipt of vaccines are based on the age at which the risk of disease is highest and for which vaccine safety and efficacy have been demonstrated. When providing vaccine doses at less than the recommended age, it is important to know the minimum age for administering the vaccine, since doses given before the recommended age may lead to a less than optimal immune response. For example, the minimum age for influenza vaccine is 6 months because the vaccine provides poor protection in younger infants.
There may be circumstances in which administering a vaccine a few days before the recommended age may be appropriate to avoid missing an opportunity for vaccination . However, generally, if a vaccine dose is given before the recommended age, the dose should be repeated on or after the date when the person reaches the age for which the vaccine is recommended. For example, although measles-mumps-rubella vaccine may be given as early as 6 months of age, 2 additional doses of measles-containing vaccine must be administered after the child is 12 months old to ensure long lasting immunity to measles.
Refer to vaccine-specific chapters in Part 4 for additional information on recommended and minimum ages for vaccine administration. Refer to Immunization of Travellers chapter in Part 3 for detailed information about accelerated immunization schedules for travel health protection.
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How Long After Shingles Can A Person Get Vaccinated
Keith Roach, M.D.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 81 years old and was diagnosed with shingles at the end of October 2020. After taking famciclovir, I am healing, but still have a scaly rash and shooting pains on the right side of my head where the shingles occurred. I was told that the pain could last for a year or more. Is this true? The initial outbreak was on my scalp, forehead, brow and eye area. I did see my ophthalmologist and was fortunate that the shingles did not get into my eye, just on my eyelid.
I also saw my physician, who recommended I get the shingles vaccine in February 2021. My eye doctor disagrees and said to wait six to nine months. What is the recommended time span between the onset of shingles and getting the vaccine? How long does the vaccine protect someone? Once you have the vaccine, can you ever get shingles again? L.H.
ANSWER: Both your doctors are right. Your regular doctor who recommended a four-month time span is correct, but your eye doctor, who said six to nine months, is right also. In fact, the vaccine may be given at any time after the shingles lesions are healed . Getting shingles again within a year is very unlikely, so it is fine to wait up to a year after the bout of shingles.
The length of protection seems to be long. But this is still a new vaccine, and it is unclear how long the protection will last.
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What To Know About The Shingles Vaccine
Who needs it? The CDC recommends that everyone 50 and older get Shingrix, even if they had the earlier recommended vaccine Zostavax, or if theyve already had a bout of shingles. Older adults should also get this vaccine, whether or not they remember having had chickenpox as a child. Why? More than 99 percent of Americans over the age of 40 have been exposed to the varicella-zoster virus, even if they dont recall getting chickenpox.
How often? The CDC recommends that older adults, as described above, get this vaccine, which is given in two doses spaced two to six months apart. But it remains to be seen if the agency will recommend that older adults get it again, say, after its effectiveness starts to wane four years after their first inoculation.
Why you need it: 1 in 3 people will get painful, occasionally debilitating shingles, usually after age 50, and the risk increases with age. By age 85, half of adults will have experienced at least one outbreak.
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Who Can Have The Shingles Vaccination
Shingles vaccination is available to everyone aged 70 to 79.
When you’re eligible, you can have the shingles vaccination at any time of year.
The shingles vaccine is not available on the NHS to anyone aged 80 or over because it seems to be less effective in this age group.
Read more about who can have the shingles vaccine.
Who Shouldnt Receive Shringrix
Although vaccines go through rigorous safety testing to ensure they are safe, they arent suitable for everyone. You shouldnt receive Shingrix if you:
- have an active shingles infection
- have a severe illness or a fever of 101.3°F or higher
- have had a severe allergic reaction to Shingrix or any ingredient in the vaccine
- have no immunity to varicella based on a blood test carried out for other reasons
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
If you currently have shingles, another serious illness, or a fever of 101.3°F , wait until these issues have resolved to receive a Shingrix vaccination.
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Why Is Shingrix Administered In Two Doses
Shingrix is typically given in two doses, usually as a shot to the upper arm.
A 2021 study found that adults over 65 were significantly less likely to develop either shingles or PHN after getting two doses of Shingrix than they were after one dose. Two doses of Shingrix also offered better protection against shingles complications to adults over 80 and immunocompromised adults.
Previously, Zostavax was offered to older and immunocompromised adults to prevent shingles, PHN, and other shingles-related health problems. Zostavax is a live vaccine, which means it contains a weakened version of the herpes zoster virus. Shingrix is a recombinant vaccine, meaning that it uses only a small piece of the virus.
In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration approved Shingrix for the prevention of shingles and related complications. Zostavax is no longer available in the U.S. People who have gotten Zostavax in the past should now get Shingrix.
Studies have shown that Zostavaxa one-dose vaccineis generally less effective than two doses of Shingrix in preventing shingles complications among older and immunocompromised adults. Shingrix currently offers the best chance of protection against shingles, PHN, and shingles-related hospitalization.
Shingles Can Strike Twice Will The Shingles Vaccine Help
No one who has experienced the burning, stabbing, painful misery of shingles wants to think about it again. But they should. Why? Because shingles can strike twice, or rarely, even a third time. A shingles vaccine can reduce the chances of a recurrence.
Theres some disagreement about how often recurrence occurs. In one study, researchers examined medical records of nearly 1,700 patients who had a documented case of shingles between 1996 and 2001. They found that more than 5% of these patients were treated for a second episode within an average of eight years. Thats about as likely as getting shingles in the first place if youre age 60 or older. Other studies have shown the recurrence rate to be much lower.
But the bottom line is the same: having shingles once doesnt protect you from ever having it again.
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Who Should Get It
The CDC recommends that adults ages 50 and up get the shingles vaccine. As mentioned above, its part of a two-dose series. And if youre an older adult that hasnt gotten the shingles vaccine yet, its never too late. There isnât a maximum age limit to get it.
You can also get the vaccine if youre at least 19 years old and have a weakened immune system. In this case, you can receive a second dose 1 to 2 months after the first. Talk to your healthcare provider if you think this may apply to you.
Even if youâve already had shingles or received a different shingles vaccine, you should still get Shingrix if eligible. But you shouldnt get it if youre allergic to any of the vaccine ingredients, currently have shingles, or are pregnant.
How Effective Is The Shingles Vaccine In Preventing Shingles
The shingles vaccine can provide strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia , the most commonly occurring shingles complication.
The shingles vaccine is 97% effective in preventing shingles in people ages 50 to 69 years old. Its 91% effective in people ages 70 years and older.
In addition, the shingles vaccine is 91% effective in preventing PHN in people ages 50 to 69 years old. Its 89% effective in people ages 70 years and older.
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Who Should Get A Covid
Were learning that the COVID-19 vaccines may become less effective over time, especially against new variants of the virus. Getting a booster shot, however, can increase your protection from the COVID-19 virus. Everyone is encouraged to get a COVID-19 booster, provided they meet the following criteria:
- Anyone 12 years and older can receive a Pfizer-BioNTech booster if its been at least 5 months since they completed their COVID vaccinations.
- Adults 18 or older who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine or Moderna vaccine series at least 5 months ago can get any authorized COVID-19 booster.
- Adults over 18 who received the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months ago can get any authorized COVID-19 booster.
In general, the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines are preferred over the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, according to the CDC.