Shingles vaccine

After you turn 50, your health care provider will start discussing several routine screenings and vaccinations that you’ll want to consider as you age. This includes the shingles vaccine which is important for keeping you healthy as you age.

At Advocate Health Care, our preventive care team offers all the routine vaccines you need in convenient locations throughout the Chicago metro area. We give you the tools you need to stay well in the long term.

What is the shingles vaccine?

The shingles vaccine is an immunization that protects adults from the shingles infection. It’s given as two doses and the main shingles vaccine is called Shingrix. You can also safely get the shingles vaccine at the same time as other vaccines.

Getting vaccinated can reduce your risk of shingles infection and its potential complications.

Shingrix vs. Zostavax

The CDC recommends that adults get Shingrix®, the recombinant zoster vaccine.

The U.S. used to use the live zoster vaccine called Zostavax®. Zostavax was approved by the FDA in 2006, and Shingrix was introduced in 2017. For a few years, both vaccinations were available. But health care providers recommended Shingrix over Zostavax because Shingrix is more effective at preventing shingles infection and its related complications.

Zostavax stopped being distributed in the U.S. in 2020. Today, doctors recommend getting the Shingrix vaccine even if you previously had the Zostavax vaccine. Your provider can tell you how long you should wait before getting the Shingrix vaccine after the Zostavax vaccine.

What is shingles?

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox infection, the varicella-zoster virus remains inactive in your body. If it becomes activated again, it triggers shingles.

Shingles cause a painful, blistered rash. Some people may experience ongoing nerve pain even after the rash and blisters heal, a complication known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Is shingles contagious?

Shingles is not contagious, and you can’t get the infection from someone else. If you come in direct contact with fluid from their shingles rash, you are at risk for catching chickenpox.

If you can keep the shingles rash covered, your risk of spreading the infection is low. You cannot spread the virus before the rash blisters or after the rash crusts.

Who should get the shingles vaccine?

Health care providers recommend the shingles vaccine for all adults 50 and older. People with weakened immune systems may need the shingles vaccine as early as age 19.

Do I need the shingles vaccine if I already had shingles?

Yes, the CDC recommends the Shingrix vaccine regardless of whether you’ve had a shingles infection. Even if you’ve had shingles before, the vaccine will lower your risk of getting the infection again.

Do I need the shingles vaccine if I’ve never had chickenpox?

Yes, the CDC recommends getting the shingles vaccine even if you don’t think you’ve had chickenpox. Some people don’t remember ever having chickenpox, but data shows more than 99% of adults born before 1980 had chickenpox during childhood. Health care providers also recommend getting the shingles vaccine even if you received the chickenpox vaccine.

What are the risk factors of shingles?

Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles. Additionally, your risk of shingles and serious complications increases:

• As you get older, especially over the age of 50
• If you have certain cancers like leukemia and lymphoma
• If you’re HIV positive
• If you take medication that keeps your immune system from working properly, like steroids or drugs given after an organ transplant

Who shouldn’t get the shingles vaccine?

Most adults over 50 and immunocompromised people ages 19 to 49 should get the shingles vaccine. There are a few rare exceptions, including people who:

• Are pregnant
• Have shingles currently
• Have a history of severe allergic reactions to vaccines

How effective is the shingles vaccine?

Research shows that the Shingrix vaccine works extremely well to prevent shingles and postherpetic neuralgia. In adults:

• Ages 50 to 69: Shingrix is 97% effective at preventing shingles and 91% at preventing PHN.
• Ages 70 and older: Shingrix is 91% effective at preventing shingles and 89% at preventing PHN.
• Ages 19 and older with weakened immune systems: Shingrix is 68% to 91% effective at preventing shingles, depending on your overall health and underlying conditions.

How often should you get the shingles vaccine?

Most people need two doses of the shingles vaccine, given two to six months apart. You may get your second dose sooner if you have a weakened immune system.

How many years does Shingrix last?

Research shows that in people with healthy immune systems, the Shingrix vaccine provides protection for at least seven years. There’s not currently a booster shot for the shingles vaccine.

What are the side effects of the shingles vaccine?

The shingles vaccine may cause temporary side effects while your body builds immunity. The side effects may be significant enough to keep you from some of your usual activities.

Usually, these symptoms go away within two to three days. You’re more likely to experience side effects from a shingles vaccine if you’re younger.

Shingrix side effects may include:

• Fever or chills
• Headache
• Mild to moderate pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
• Muscle pain
• Stomach pain or nausea

You may ask your doctor whether you can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These medicines can help reduce side effects after the shingles vaccines.

How soon do side effects start after Shingrix?

Typically, Shingrix side effects start within days or even hours of receiving the shingles vaccine, and they can resolve on their own within two to five days.

Commonly reported side effects of the Shingrix second dose include pain, fever and swelling. Some side effects are reportedly more likely to occur after the second dose of Shingrix than after the first dose of the vaccine.