What are shingles vaccines?There are 2 vaccines, Shingrix® and Zostavax® II, that protect against shingles. Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. Zostavax® II contains a weakened form of the virus while Shingrix® contains only a part of the virus. Show
Who should get the shingles vaccine?Shingrix
Zostavax II
Talk with your health care provider if you have questions about the shingles vaccines. What are the benefits of the shingles vaccine?The shingles vaccines are the best way to protect you from getting shingles. The vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of getting shingles by 50% for Zostavax® II, and to more than 90% for Shingrix®. For those who still get shingles after being immunized, the vaccines can reduce pain, including the type of pain that lasts after shingles. What are the side effects?The shingles vaccines are very safe. Common side effects to the vaccines include headache as well as soreness, redness and swelling where the vaccine was given. Itching and a rash may also occur after getting Zostavax® II. Other reactions that may occur after getting Shingrix® include fever, muscle soreness, fatigue, shivering, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It is important to stay in the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine because there is an extremely rare possibility of anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction. This may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue, or lips. The chance of true anaphylaxis is about 1 in 1 million vaccine doses. Should this reaction occur, your health care provider is prepared to treat it. Emergency treatment includes administration of epinephrine (adrenaline) and transfer by ambulance to the nearest emergency department. If symptoms develop after you leave the clinic, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number. Learn more about anaphylaxis on our vaccine side effects page. It is important to always report serious or unexpected reactions to your health care provider. Where can I learn more?
About shingles
Did you know?About 1 in 5 people who get shingles may have severe nerve pain that lasts months to years after the rash has cleared. This is known as post-herpetic neuralgia. What are the chances of getting shingles after vaccine?The shingles vaccines are the best way to protect you from getting shingles. The vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of getting shingles by 50% for Zostavax® II, and to more than 90% for Shingrix®.
How long is shingles vaccine good for?Zostavax®, the shingles vaccine, reduced the risk of shingles by 51% and the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia by 67% based on a large study of more than 38,000 adults aged 60 years or older. Protection from shingles vaccine lasts about 5 years.
What triggers a shingles outbreak?After you have had chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus lies dormant (inactive) inside your body. It can become reactivated at a later stage and cause shingles. It is not known exactly why the virus is reactivated, but it is linked to having lowered immunity (protection against infection and diseases).
Can you spread shingles if vaccinated?Some vaccines that protect against illness also prevent the bacteria from spreading from person to person. Vaccines that protect against Hib meningitis, and many that protect against pneumococcal and meningococcal meningitis, also stop the bacteria from living in the nose and throat and so stop the spread to others.
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