Shingles vaccine

After your 50th birthday, your health care provider will start discussing several routine screenings and vaccinations that you may have never thought about before. The shingles vaccine 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. 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 causes 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). 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.

Who needs 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 that 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.

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 the shingles vaccine be given?

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 shingles vaccination.

Shingles shot side effects

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 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 shot.

How soon do side effects start after Shingrix?

Typically, Shingrix side effects start within days or even hours within receiving the vaccination, 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.