Shingles Vaccine How Many Doses

How Well Does Shingrix Work

New Shingles Vaccine

Two doses of Shingrix provide strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia , the most common complication of shingles.

In adults 50 to 69 years old with healthy immune systems, Shingrix was 97% effective in preventing shingles in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective.
In adults 50 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective in preventing PHN in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 89% effective.
In adults with weakened immune systems, Shingrix was between 68% and 91% effective in preventing shingles, depending on their underlying immunocompromising condition.

In people 70 years and older who had healthy immune systems, Shingrix immunity remained high throughout 7 years following vaccination.

Shingrix Dosage And Schedule

Shingrix should be administered to immunocompetent adults aged 50 years and older and adults aged 19 years who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed because of disease or therapy as a two-dose series , 2 to 6 months apart . However, for persons who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed and who would benefit from completing the series in a shorter period, the second dose can be administered 12 months after the first. See more detailed clinical guidance.

If more than 6 months have elapsed since the first dose of Shingrix, you should administer the second dose as soon as possible. However, you do not need to restart the vaccine series.

If the second dose is given less than 4 weeks after the first dose, the second dose should be considered invalid. A valid second dose should be administered 2 months after the invalid dose .

How Does The Shingles Vaccine Work

The vaccine recommended for most people is a live vaccine called Zostavax. It contains a weakened chickenpox virus . It’s similar, but not identical, to the chickenpox vaccine.

People with a weakened immune system cannot have live vaccines. They will be offered a non-live vaccine called Shingrix. It activates the immune system but also contains an ingredient called an adjuvant, which helps to boost the response to the vaccine.

Very occasionally, people develop chickenpox following shingles vaccination . Talk to a GP if this happens to you.

Are There Any Restrictions After A Shingles Shot

You should not receive the shingles vaccine if you are pregnant, if you have an active shingles infection, or if you previously had an allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine. If youre eligible for the vaccine and receive the vaccination, there are no restrictions afterward and you can leave the doctors office or pharmacy as soon as the shot is complete.

Who Should Avoid Getting The Shingrix Vaccine

What You Should Know About the Shingrix Vaccine for Shingles Prevention

You should not get Shingrix if you:

Have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the Shingrix vaccine
Currently have shingles
Currently are pregnant or breastfeeding
Tested negative for immunity to varicella-zoster virus
Have a moderate or severe illness with a temperature of 101.3º F
Have gotten Varivax less than eight weeks ago

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Do I Really Need Another Shot Heres What You Need To Know About The Shingles Vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine, called Shingrix.

Ann Marie Barron | ABarron@siadvance.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Do I really need to get another vaccine?

With everyone talking about the coronavirus and flu vaccines these days, many might overlook the necessity of the shingles vaccine, doctors say. But, if youre 50 or older, they say its time to roll up your sleeve again.

Though shingles isnt a virus thats caught’ from others it hibernates in the nerve roots of people after they have the chicken pox, and natural immunity keeps it at bay it will come out and cause painful symptoms when that immunity is reduced by age, stress or illness.

Approximately 50% of all adults will get shingles in their lifetime if not vaccinated, said Dr. Marianne La Barbera, a family physician who practices in Sunnyside. The current vaccine being offered, Shingrix, is much more effective than the previous shingles vaccine offered, the doctor said. Even people who have had the older vaccine should get the Shingrix to boost their immunity and lower their risk of getting shingles.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of Shingrix , separated by two to six months, to prevent shingles and complications from the disease.

A doctor or pharmacist can administer the vaccine as a shot in the upper arm.

The downside

Routine Vaccination Of People 50 Years Old And Older

CDC recommends Shingrix for the prevention of herpes zoster and related complications. CDC recommends two doses of Shingrix separated by 2 to 6 months for immunocompetent adults aged 50 years and older:

Whether or not they report a prior episode of herpes zoster.
Whether or not they report a prior dose of Zostavax, a shingles vaccine that is no longer available for use in the United States.
It is not necessary to screen, either verbally or by laboratory serology, for evidence of prior varicella.

Recombinant and adjuvanted vaccines, such as Shingrix, can be administered concomitantly, at different anatomic sites, with other adult vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines. Coadministration of RZV with adjuvanted influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines is being studied.

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Who’s Most At Risk Of Shingles

People tend to get shingles more often as they get older, especially over the age of 70. And the older you are, the worse it can be. The shingles rash can be extremely painful, such that sufferers cannot even bear the feeling of their clothes touching the affected skin.

The pain of shingles can also linger long after the rash has disappeared, even for many years. This lingering pain is called post-herpetic neuralgia .

New Shingles Vaccine: What You Need To Know

New CDC guidelines for shingles and pneumonia vaccines

Nov. 13, 2019 — Unlike some vaccines, thereâs been so much demand for the new shingles vaccine Shingrix that itâs not always easy to find. It was approved in 2017, and the CDC recommends the vaccine for adults 50 and older to prevent this painful, blistering illness. It is being used in place of the previous vaccine, Zostavax.

More than a year later, doctors say they are learning more about how it works, its safety risks, and how it compares to Zostavax.

How effective is Shingrix?

âIt’s just remarkable,” says Wilbur Chen, MD, an associate professor of medicine at the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine. “It has performed better than I expected.”

In studies, Shingrix was more than 97% effective at preventing shingles in people 50 and older. It works just as well in older adults, who are at greater risk for a painful shingles complication called postherpetic neuralgia . “When 70- and 80-year-olds get shingles, it can be extremely debilitating,” Chen says.

By contrast, Zostavax cuts the risk of shingles by only 51% and PHN by 67%. It’s only about 38% effective in people over age 70.

How safe is Shingrix?

“So far so good,” Schaffner says. The main side effect is soreness in the arm where you get the shot.

Other side effects are mild and usually last for 2 to 3 days, including:

Who shouldn’t get Shingrix?

Can I get the Shingrix vaccine now?

What do doctors still need to learn about Shingrix?

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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.

Who Should Get The Shingles Vaccine

The CDC recommends all healthy adults ages 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine to prevent shingles and problems that can develop after youve had the disease. The two doses should be separated by two to six months. You should get the shingles vaccine even if you:

Have had shingles: If youve had shingles in the past, you should get the shingles vaccine to help prevent getting the disease again. You should wait until the shingles rash is gone before getting the vaccine.
Arent sure if youve had chickenpox: Studies show more than 99% of Americans ages 40 and older have had chickenpox at some point in their lives. You should get the shingles vaccine whether or not you remember having chickenpox because theyre caused by the same virus.
Received the old shingles vaccine : Before November 18, 2020, people were vaccinated with a shingles vaccine called Zostavax. You cant get Zostavax in the United States anymore. If you were vaccinated with Zostavax, you should get vaccinated with the new shingles vaccine, Shingrix.

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Very Common And Common Adverse Events

Very common adverse events occur in 10% or more of vaccinees. Common adverse events occur in 1% to less than 10% of vaccinees.

Injection site reactions are very commonly reported for both LZV and RZV. For LZV recipients the frequency is slightly higher in adults aged < 60 years. For all ages, the majority of these events were rated mild or moderate in intensity and lasted less than 2 days.

Due to the adjuvant in RZV, which induces a high cellular immune response and helps address the natural age-related decline in immunity, RZV is more reactogenic than LZV.

Injection site AEs are very commonly reported by recipients of RZV. Approximately 80% report injection-site pain and approximately 30% report redness at the site of injection.

Systemic adverse events, primarily fatigue and myalgia are common in LZV recipients and very common in RZV recipients . For RZV, they include headache .

Local and systemic reactions that were severe enough to interfere with normal activities have been more frequently reported following the receipt of RZV than LZV. However, these reactions have been temporary . Patient education on the short-term reactogenicity of the RZV is recommended prior to vaccine administration to promote adherence to the second dose.

Can You Get Shingles After Youve Been Vaccinated

Shingles vaccine good for seniors and health

While the shingles vaccine is highly effective, some people can still get shingles. However, people who do get shingles after getting the shingles vaccine usually have milder symptoms and a shorter illness. Youll also be less likely to have complications from shingles, including postherpetic neuralgia.

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What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider

Its normal to have questions before you get a vaccine. Some common questions you may want to discuss with your healthcare provider include:

When should I get the shingles vaccine?
What side effects should I expect?
How does the shingles vaccine work?
When should I schedule each dose of the shingles vaccine?
How effective is the shingles vaccine?
Is there any reason I shouldnt get the shingles vaccine?
What could happen if I dont get the shingles vaccine?

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.

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Transporting Storing And Handling Vaccines

Transport according to National vaccine storage guidelines: Strive for 5.60 Store at +2°C to +8°C. Do not freeze. Protect from light.

Zostavax must be reconstituted. Add the entire contents of the diluent container to the vial and shake until the powder completely dissolves. Reconstitute immediately after taking the vaccine out of the refrigerator. Use the reconstituted vaccine within 30 minutes.

Administration In People With Hiv

Shingles Vaccine Lilas Good Health

The product information for Zostavax states that the safety and efficacy of Zostavax have not been established in adults with known HIV infection with or without evidence of immunosuppression.

ATAGI recommends that Zostavax may be given to people who have HIV but are not immunocompromised, after confirming pre-existing immunity to varicella-zoster virus.

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Persons With Chronic Diseases

Autoimmune disease

Although definitive data are lacking, individuals with autoimmune disease not being treated with immunosuppressive drugs are not considered significantly immunocompromised. Individuals 50 years of age without contraindications should receive RZV.

For more information, refer to Immunization of Immunocompromised Persons, and Immunization of Persons with Chronic Diseases in Part 3.

What Is The Brand Name Of The Shingles Vaccine

There are 2 shingles vaccines used in the UK:

Zostavax, a live vaccine given as 1 dose
Shingrix, a non-live vaccine given as 2 doses, 2 months apart

Most people will have the Zostavax vaccine. The Shingrix vaccine is recommended if Zostavax is not suitable for you, for example if you have a condition that affects your immune system.

You can read more about the shingles vaccines in the patient information leaflets:

Electronic Medicines Compendium: Shingrix leaflet

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Adverse Events In People With Immunocompromising Conditions Or On Immunosuppressive Therapy

Zostavax is contraindicated in severely immunocompromised people. Administering Zostavax to people with severe immunocompromise can result in disseminated disease from the Oka vaccine virus. Without an adequate immune response, the vaccine virus can replicate unchecked.30,31 2 people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia who were given Zostavax died from disseminated Oka vaccine virus disease.15,30,31 They were not receiving immunosuppressive treatment when they were vaccinated. Another person, who at the time of vaccination was taking prednisolone and had also recently been taking checkpoint inhibitors, died a few weeks after receiving Zostavax.33

People on multiple medications associated with low level immunosuppression may also be at risk. In Australia, 1 person died from infection with the Oka VZV vaccine strain 3 weeks after receiving Zostavax. The person was taking long-term hydroxychloroquine and low-dose prednisolone .32

The TGA and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation continue to monitor global evidence on the safety of Zostavax. To date, there have been no other reports of a fatal outcome from vaccine-related VZV infection in people who were either mildly immunocompromised or not known to be immunocompromised.

Before Receiving This Vaccine

You should not receive Zostavax if you have:

active untreated tuberculosis
leukemia, lymphoma, or other cancer affecting bone marrow
a history of allergic reaction to gelatin or neomycin
a weak immune system caused by disease , or by receiving medications such as steroids or chemotherapy or
if you are pregnant.

To make sure Zostavax is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

a history of allergic reaction to any vaccine
if you have received a “live” vaccine within the past 4 weeks or
if you have never had chickenpox.

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. If you have tuberculosis or any other severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.

Tell your doctor if someone in your household has a weak immune system. For a short time after you receive a Zostavax, it is possible that the live virus could be passed from you to any person who has a weak immune system.

It is not known whether Zostavax is harmful to an unborn baby. However, this vaccine is not for use in pregnant women. Avoid getting pregnant for at least 3 months after you have received a Zostavax.

It is not known whether zoster vaccine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Zostavax is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

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Who Is A Candidate For The Shingles Vaccine

Healthy adults aged 50 years and older are candidates for the shingles vaccine Shingrix. There is no age limit, and you can get the Shingrix vaccine even if you have already had shingles, have had the Zostavax vaccine, or do not remember whether you have had chickenpox in the past.

If you have already had shingles, getting the Shingrix can help protect you from the disease coming back. Studies have reported that almost every American aged 40 years and older have more than a 99% chance of having had chickenpox, and people who have had chickenpox are more likely to develop shingles in the future because both are caused by the same virusthe varicella-zoster virus.

After having shingles, there is no duration that you need to wait before getting vaccinated, although you should wait until the rash has completely disappeared. Shringrix is given in 2 doses 2-6 months apart.

Side effects are usually mild and may last for two to three days. No severe side effects for Shingrix have been reported so far.

Who Should Not Get Shingrix