What Are the Side Effects of the Shingles Vaccine?
There are a number of side effects associated with the shingles vaccine. The most common ones are pain, redness, swelling, and fever. These symptoms typically develop a few days after getting the injection and usually go away within a week or two.
In rare cases, some people may experience more serious side effects such as brain inflammation or death. However, severe reactions to the shingles vaccine are extremely rare.
If you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction after getting the shot, call 911 or go to your nearest ER: hives, swelling of your face and throat, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness.
How Common are These Side Effects?
Side effects are a possible complication of taking a vaccine. The most common side effect is fever which occurs in around 25% of people who receive the vaccine. Other common side effects include rash (around 20%), headache (around 15%), and nausea (around 10%). Shingles vaccines may also cause swelling or pain at the site where they were given (although this is rare). There is currently no specific treatment for these side effects, although they usually go away within two weeks.
What are the More Serious Side Effects of the Shingles Vaccine?
There is a risk of developing post-vaccination shingles syndrome (PVSS). PVSS can cause severe pain, burning sensations, and skin rash that can be life-threatening.
There is a risk of suffering from other conditions after getting the vaccine, including Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), which is a disorder that causes temporary paralysis.
More serious reactions to the shingles vaccine are very rare. However, if you experience any severe reactions after taking the vaccine, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, hives, or swelling of the face or throat, you should call 9-1-1 immediately and seek medical attention. Adverse reactions to vaccines should also be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
Who Should Get the Shingles Vaccine
Weighing the Risks Vs. Benefits
- Even if the medication is working, you may experience some side effects. Contact your doctor immediately if any of the following occur: serious allergic reactions, side effects that get better over time, or side effects that worsen over time.
- Be aware of potential side effects: Know what potential side effects to look out for before taking your medication so you can contact your doctor right away if they occur.
- Keep track of how the medication is going: Make sure to keep track of how you’re feeling after starting treatment and let your doctor know if anything changes throughout therapy
Who Should Not Get the Shingles Vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people over 65 years old, those with health conditions such as cancer, or people taking certain medications should consult their healthcare professionals before getting vaccinated. Moreover, the CDC does not recommend the shingles vaccine for the following:
- People who are pregnant
- People who have a history of severe allergic reactions to any component of the shingles vaccine
- People with a weakened immune system
What are the Risks of Not Getting the Shingles Vaccine?
While the shingles vaccine carries some risks, the risks of not getting it could potentially be severe for those severely affected. The risks of not getting the shingles vaccine include severe complications, such as blindness and brain damage.
Moreover, not getting the shingles vaccine can also increase your risk of other diseases, such as pneumonia and heart disease.
There are two types of shingles vaccines: Zostavax (Zovirax) and Shingrix (herpes zoster immune globulin). While there are several side effects associated with both vaccines, but most people tolerate them well.
Therefore, the benefits of getting the vaccine outweigh the few side effects by a large margin.
The risks of not getting the shingles vaccine include developing shingles, developing a secondary infection, or having a serious complication from shingles. The shingles vaccine is a recommended vaccine for people over the age of 50. The vaccine may help reduce the severity of future episodes of shingles and help prevent other serious medical conditions caused by shingles.
Allergic Reaction to Shingles Vaccination
An allergic reaction to shingles vaccination is a common side effect. It occurs when the person’s immune system attacks the vaccine. Symptoms may include fever, rash, and nausea. The person should see a doctor if these symptoms occur after getting the vaccine.
There is a rare chance of having a severe allergic reaction to the shingles vaccine. Symptoms of anaphylaxis after receiving the vaccine include:
- hives,
- swelling of the face/throat,
- difficulty breathing,
- a fast heartbeat,
- dizziness, and
- weakness
Your provider might ask you to stay at the clinic for a short period of time after you’ve received your vaccine to make sure you can get proper care in case of a serious allergic reaction. Sometimes, these reactions can happen after you’ve already left the clinic. Get medical help right away if you notice any of these symptoms.
How Is the Shingles Vaccine Given?
The shingles vaccine is given by injection into a muscle, usually in the upper arm. The shot usually takes less than five minutes to work and can be administered in a doctor’s office or outpatient clinic. It is usually given in two doses separated by two to six months.
Since most people who get vaccinated don’t experience any side effects, it’s important for those who are at risk for developing shingles to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Risks / Benefits
What are the Advantages of Getting the Shingles Vaccine?
There are many advantages to getting the shingles vaccine. For example, it reduces your risk of developing severe pain and disability, and even death. The shingles vaccine also provides long-term protection against this deadly disease. If you’re ever diagnosed with shingles, getting vaccinated is the best way to reduce your chances of suffering from serious side effects or complications.
The shingles vaccine is an effective way to prevent the disease. The vaccine is safe and has few side effects. The vaccine is available to everyone, regardless of age or health condition. The shingles vaccine can help speed up the healing process for the rash. Shingles can cause long-term pain after it goes away, but the risks are reduced with the vaccination.
How Effective Is the Shingles Vaccine in Preventing Shingles?
There is evidence that the shingles vaccine is very effective in preventing shingles. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that, after being vaccinated, almost 90% of people who received the vaccine developed immunity against shingles. This means that if you are at risk for developing shingles, and you get vaccinated, there is a very good chance that you won’t get sick from it.
The vaccine is also 91% effective in preventing postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a condition that can occur after shingles. The protection against shingles and PHN lasts for about four years. The vaccine is safe and has few side effects when taken as directed by a doctor. There is no need for a booster shot after the initial vaccination. The best time to receive the vaccine is within two years of exposure to chickenpox (or within two years of infection with herpes zoster, which can cause shingles).
The downside to the vaccine is that it doesn’t always work as expected. About 1 out of 5 people who receive the vaccination will still develop shingles even after being vaccinated. This happens because not all people who are infected with VZV respond positively to the vaccine.
Overall, though, the benefits of getting vaccinated outweigh the risks by a large margin.
How Long Does the Shingles Vaccine Last?
The shingles vaccine lasts for up to two years. It is recommended that people receive the vaccine every year, even if they have had a previous shingles vaccination.
Can You Get Shingles After You’ve Been Vaccinated?
Yes, you can get shingles after being vaccinated. The vaccine is not 100% effective, but it does reduce the severity of symptoms and lowers the risk of complications. The new shingles vaccine, Shingrix, is more effective than the previous vaccine, Zostavax. It is important to get the Shingrix vaccine if you are age 60 or older. The side effects of the Shingrix vaccine are usually mild and last for up to two years. You should receive a second dose of the Shingrix vaccine if your first dose was incomplete or if you have had a significant change in your health since receiving your initial vaccination.
If you experience any symptoms of shingles, such as pain, itching, or redness on one side of your body, go see a doctor as soon as possible. They will likely prescribe you with antibiotics to help prevent any other complications from developing.
The best way to avoid getting shingles after being vaccinated is to get all of your vaccinations done as recommended by your health care provider. If you ever have questions about whether you’re immune to particular diseases or vaccines, talk to them directly so that they can check with your health care provider
Can You Get Shingles If You Had the Chickenpox Vaccine?
The chickenpox vaccine is not 100% effective and can still cause shingles. There is a small risk of developing shingles after getting the chickenpox vaccine. However, it is much less common to get shingles after receiving the chickenpox vaccine than after having chickenpox. People who should not get the shingles vaccine include those who currently have shingles and those who have had a severe allergic reaction to the shingles vaccine in the past.
Rare Side Effects of the Shingles Vaccine
Can the Shingles Shot Cause Guillain-barré Syndrome?
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare condition that can occur after getting the shingles vaccine. Symptoms include muscle weakness and paralysis that typically start in the lower extremities and spread upwards. Guillain-Barré syndrome can be life-threatening, so it’s important to see a healthcare provider immediately if you think you may have symptoms.
It’s not known exactly how the shingles vaccine can cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, but it is thought that the vaccine may trigger an immune response that attacks the nervous system. There is no way to prevent Guillain-Barré syndrome, but early treatment can help reduce the severity of symptoms.
What Should I Do If I Think I Have the Shingles Virus?
If you think you have the shingles virus, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider. You should also report any side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) by calling 1-800-822-7967.
Monitoring the Safety and Side Effects of the Shingles Vaccine
The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a system that helps to detect possible safety problems with vaccines. The system is co-managed by the CDC and the FDA. There are several systems in place to monitor the safety of shingles vaccine, including the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System and the Vaccine Safety Datalink.
Shingrix is a non-live, recombinant vaccine that is manufactured using only a specific piece of protein from the shingles-related virus. Foster says that Shingrix is an adjuvant vaccine and this makes it more effective than Zostavax. The FDA recently required that a warning about Guillain-Barré syndrome be included in safety labeling information for Shingrix. The FDA determined that “the results of the observational study show an association of GBS with Shingrix, but that available information is insufficient to establish a causal relationship,” according to a March 24, 2021, agency statement.
There is a small increased risk of GBS – a rare autoimmune disease affecting nerve cells – following the first dose of Shingrix for adults 65 and older. No increased risk was observed after the second dose. The risk is still very small, Foster emphasizes. “Personally, I would not let it change the decision” to go ahead with shingles vaccination, he says.
