Tuesday, March 26, 2024

When To Get The 2nd Shingles Vaccine

What Are The Side Effects

What You Should Know About Shingles Vaccines | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Because the vaccine helps your body create a strong defense against shingles, you are likely to have temporary side effects from getting the shots. You may experience side effects after either dose or after both doses, which may include:

  • Redness, soreness, swelling at the site of the vaccination.
  • Tiredness, muscle pain, headache, shivering, fever, stomach pain or nausea.

About one out of six people who got Shingrix experienced side effects that prevented them from doing regular activities. Symptoms usually went away on their own in about two to three days.3

Who Is A Candidate For The Shingles Vaccine

Adults 50 years and older. Immunocompetent adults 50 years and older should get two doses of Shingrix, 2 to 6 months apart.

Adults 19 years and older with weakened immunity. Immunity could be reduced by diseases like HIV, leukemia, or lymphoma. The immunosuppressive medicines given with organ transplants, and chemotherapy for cancer, also weaken immunity. The vaccine is safe and effective in people with multiple myeloma and other blood cancers, solid organ cancer, people with HIV, and renal transplant recipients.

People who have had shingles. Unlike chickenpox, shingles can happen again. The shingles vaccine works well if you’ve had shingles before. You will have stronger immunity against further attacks of shingles.

People who took Zostavax. This shingles vaccine is no longer in use in the US. People who took it should take two doses of RZV.

Do your age or health situation make you eligible for the vaccine? Weighing the benefits and potential dangers will let you make the best decision for yourself.

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.

Also Check: Shingles Vaccine At Cvs Pharmacy

Should I Get The Shingles Vaccine

The CDC recommends shingles immunization for adults aged 50 and up, as well as those aged 19 and up, who have compromised immune systems as a result of disease or pharmaceutical therapy. It also recommends having the shingles vaccination if youve had shingles and/or chickenpox in the past, as well as if youve had another shingles vaccine called Zostavax, which is no longer available in the United States.

Read Also: Who Can Get Shingles Virus

What Else To Know About The Shingles Vaccine

Considering the Shingles Vaccine?

Ready to get vaccinated? This is the essential info on how the shots are given, what to expect with side effects, and more.

You need two doses of Shingrix to get full protection from shingles. You should get your second dose 2 to 6 months after the first. Your doctor or pharmacist will inject the vaccine into the muscle of your upper arm, so wear clothes that give easy access to that area.

If it has been more than 6 months since you got your first dose, go ahead and get your second dose. You donât need to start over, Dooling says.

Because Shingrix is so new, experts arenât sure whether youâll eventually need another shot, or a booster, years down the road.

âThe CDC is actively following how protected people remain after the two-dose series,â she says. We know that after 4 years, protection remains above 85%. Only time will tell how durable that protection is.â

You do not have to wait between Shingrix and COVID-19 vaccination. The CDC has determined its safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as Shingrex, but recommends they be given in different arms. You should not get eithe vaccine if you have COVID.

Side effects are fairly common. You may have heard that people sometimes have unpleasant side effects soon after they get the shingles vaccine.

âShingrix tends to have has more side effects than some vaccines, like those for the seasonal flu,â says Kistler. The shingles vaccine may cause:

Read Also: How Do You Treat Shingles On The Hands

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 .

I Received The Chickenpox Vaccine Can I Still Get Shingles

Chickenpox vaccine became widely available in the United States in 1995 and, since then, most children receive it as part of their routine vaccination schedule.

However, even vaccinated individuals can get chickenpox and subsequently shingles later in life due to waning immunity over time. In fact, research data actually shows that cases of shingles are increasing worldwide even though vaccination rates are also on the rise.

There are two possible reasons for this, says Dr. Kumar. First and foremost, people are living longer and as we age, our immune systems become less effective, leaving us more vulnerable to viral infections like shingles. Secondly, advances in immunosuppressant treatments for certain conditions are artificially suppressing the immune systems in people of all ages, also leaving them vulnerable, he adds.

Recommended Reading: When To Get Second Shingles Vaccine

Who Should Get Vaccinated

Shingrix is approved for adults age 50 and older. Zostavax is no longer available for use in the United States as of November 18, 2020. You should get Shingrix even if in the past you had shingles, have received Zostavax, or are not sure if you had chicken pox. There is no maximum age for getting Shingrix.3

Simultaneous Administration With Other Vaccines

Video: Shingles Vaccine Again?

RZV and LZV may be administered concomitantly with other live vaccines given by the parenteral, oral, or intranasal routes. For concomitant parenteral injections, different injection sites and separate needles and syringes should be used.

In general, inactivated vaccines including RZV may be administered concomitantly with, or at any time before or after, other inactivated vaccines or live vaccines protecting against a different disease.

LZV may be given at any time before or after live oral or intranasal vaccines. If two live parenteral vaccines are not administered concomitantly, there should be a period of at least 4 weeks before the second live parenteral vaccine is given.

Concomitant administration of pneumococcal 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine and LZV has not resulted in decreased efficacy and so the two vaccines can be given concomitantly.

For more information, refer to Timing of Vaccine Administration in Part 1.

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Does Medicare Cover The Shingles Vaccine

En español | Unlike some common vaccines, like those for the flu, hepatitis B and pneumonia, shingles shots are not covered under Medicare Part B, the component of original Medicare that includes doctor visits and outpatient services. Part A, which deals with hospital costs, doesnt cover shingles shots either.

Medicare coverage for Shingrix and Zostavax, the two commercially available shingles vaccines, is provided only if you are enrolled in a stand-alone Part D drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D drug coverage.

Medicare requires Part D plans to cover the shingles vaccine, so if youre enrolled in Part D, you shouldnt have difficulty obtaining the shot. Most require a copayment, which can vary widely from plan to plan.

And if you havent yet met your plans deductible for the year, youll likely pay the full price. For Shingrix, the newer vaccine, that averages around $190, according to GoodRx, a website and app that tracks prescription prices.

Why You Shouldn’t Get The Shingles Vaccine

  • Medical Reviewer: Dany Paul Baby, MD

Medically Reviewed on 5/24/2022

  • Related Resources – Why You Shouldn’t Get the Shingles Vaccine
  • Shingles is a disease that usually presents with a painful rash that affects one in three people in their lifetime. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox the herpes virus varicella-zoster. More than 99% of people born before 1980 have had chickenpox and have this virus dormant in the brain or spinal cord.

    Shingles activates when your immunity is low, usually with advancing age. The currently used recombinant zoster vaccine is safe and effective. But not everyone who is a candidate for the shingles vaccine should take it. Like all vaccines, the shingles vaccine has benefits and harms. You should know about both and make an informed decision about taking it.

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    How Well Does Shingrix Work

    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.

    Provider: Gsk Patient Assistance Program

    Private Shingles Vaccination With New Non

    Elligibility requirements:

  • At or below 250% of FPL
  • The patient must live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico* and utilize the US healthcare system
  • Patients may apply on their own or with the help of an advocate. Fax or mail enrollment documents to the program with patient name and date of birth on each page . Eligible patients may receive 90 day supply of medicine to their home within 7 days of faxed enrollment . If enrollment documents are submitted by mail, submit ONLY COPIES of Proof of Household Income documents. Do not mail original income or tax documents. Documents submitted cannot be returned.*Puerto Rico Residents do not qualify for vaccine products.
  • Applicable drugs:

    Read Also: What Is The New Shingles Shot

    What About Medicaid Vaccine Coverage For Children

    Coverage is more substantial for children: Medicaid covers all recommended vaccines for enrollees younger than 21 years old, under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment benefit. The federally funded Vaccines for Children program also provides free vaccines for those who might otherwise skip vaccination because of an inability to pay. These coverage options are especially important because up through the age of 18, there are 13 separate vaccines the CDC recommends for most in that age group, many of which require more than one dose.

    How Much Do Vaccines Cost At Cvs

    Here are the retail costs for several in-demand vaccines at CVS Pharmacy:

    In-demand vaccines
    Tdap $77

    If you live in an area that has both CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic, compare prices and insurance coverage. You may be able to get a slightly better price by shopping around. You may also be able to ask one store to match the price of the other.

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    What If There Is A Serious Problem

    An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a severe allergic reaction , call 9-1-1 and get the person to the nearest hospital.

    For other signs that concern you, call your health care provider.

    Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System . Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff members do not give medical advice.

    What Are The Side Effects Of The Shingles Vaccine

    Shingles Vaccine Info

    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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    What Are The Symptoms Of Shingles

    Shingles typically produces a painful rash that blisters and scabs over in 7 to 10 days and clears up within 2 to 4 weeks.

    One to 5 days before the rash appears, people may experience pain, itching, tingling, or numbness in the area where the rash will develop.

    The rash usually erupts in a single stripe on either the left or right side of the body, or sometimes the face, along a nerve path. It could develop on the arm, thigh, head even the ear or eye. Its most common on the chest and abdomen. Symptoms of shingles may also include fever, headache, and a sense of not feeling well.

    Meningococcal Vaccine Also Available

    A meningococcal vaccine is not recommended for all adults. This vaccine may be recommended for you if you have certain risk factors due to your age, health, job, or lifestyle. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if you need this vaccine.

    This vaccine is available through local pharmacies as well as in a doctors office.

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    What Should You Do If You Have Shingles

    These simple steps can help you reduce the severity and spread of shingles:

    • Cover the rash at all times
    • Do not touch or scratch the rash
    • Wash hands often to prevent the spread of the virus
    • Before the rash develops crusts, avoid contact with:
    • pregnant women who have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it
    • premature or low birth-weight infants
    • people with weakened immune systems including those receiving immunosuppressive medications or undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, and people with HIV.

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    Very Common And Common Adverse Events

    Shingles: A New Hope â BIOL: 437: Applied Epidemiology BLOG!

    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.

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    Does Medicare Cover Vaccines

    Medicare covers the flu and pneumococcal vaccines at 100% under Part B, along with the hepatitis B vaccine for those at higher risk. That means no out-of-pocket cost to the patient. A tetanus shot after experiencing a deep wound or burn also should be covered.

    Medicare Part D plans should cover the shingles vaccine, but check with your plan. You may have to pay at least a portion out of pocket if you havent yet reached your deductible for the year . There may be a copay, depending on your plan.

    Redness At Injection Site

    Redness at and around the injection site is common and may appear immediately or some days after receiving Shingrix. This redness commonly develops due to a localized immune system response, which shouldnt cause further concern.

    Arm redness should disappear within a few days after receiving the vaccine. However, if you experience redness with a rash or severe pain, let your doctor know as soon as possible.

    Also Check: Should I See A Dermatologist For 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.

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