Shingles Vaccine Info

We’ve had a lot of great questions about the shingles vaccine, including questions around how recommendations may (or may not) change due to COVID. Before we dive into info about the vaccine, if you’d like general information on shingles itself, we’ve got the info for you here.

As far as the shingles vaccine goes, the questions we've had cover the following topics:

• Who should get the vaccine? Who shouldn’t?
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• Is the shingles vaccine effective?

• What should I expect after getting the shingles vaccine?

• What do I need to know about the shingles vaccine in relation to the COVID vaccine? If I’ve had a bad reaction with shingles or the shingles vaccine in the past, does this mean I should not get the COVID vaccine?

As a brief overview, shingles is a painful, blistering rash that appears on one side of your face or body that typically resolves in 2-4 weeks. However, there are some complications that can occur, which become more common as we age. 

The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is severe nerve pain that may last for months or years. Because of this, the shingles vaccine - Shingrix - is recommended for everyone* once they reach the age of 50.

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*Who is everyone?

Everyone 50 or older who is considered healthy. There’s no age limit so if you’re reading this at age 75 (hi, Sheila!), you can still get it. 

You should receive the Shingrix vaccine, even if:

• You’ve already had shingles before. Many people only get shingles once but you can get it again - better safe than sorry.
  

• You received the older vaccine, named Zostavax. Zostavax was not as effective and is no longer given in the US. (Again, I’m looking at you, Sheila from Fort Worth - yes, you should get it again!)
  

• Shingrix was approved by the FDA in 2017 so hopefully you can remember since it was fairly recent. If you can’t recall, call your doctor to discuss next steps.
  

• You don’t think you had chickenpox but you can’t remember for sure. Studies show 99% of people over the age of 40 have indeed had chickenpox.
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Who shouldn’t get the vaccine?

Do not get the Shingrix vaccine if:

• You currently have shingles. Make sure the rash is completely gone before getting the vaccine.
  

• You’re moderately or severely ill. Use your best judgment here. If it’s something mild and your fever remains below 101.3℉, you’re good to go.
  

• You’re currently pregnant or breastfeeding.
  

• You’ve had a severe allergic reaction to any components in the vaccine (see here for more info).
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• You’ve tested negative for the varicella zoster virus (this would be up to your doc, who may want to test you if you’re high risk). This means you don’t have the dormant virus so it can’t be reactivated and cause shingles. Awesome! However, in this case, you’re going to want to get the chickenpox vaccine instead. If you don’t, you’ll end up in the same boat as the rest of us and then you will need the shingles vaccine.
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How effective is the shingles vaccine?

Very! The vaccine is given in 2 doses, 2 to 6 months apart. In adults 50-69 years old who receive both doses, the vaccine is 97% effective at preventing shingles altogether and 91% effective at preventing PHN (the nerve pain). 

In adults 70 and older who receive both doses, the vaccine is 91% effective at preventing shingles and 89% effective at preventing PHN. 

Immunity does begin to wane after 4 years, but not enough that scientists are recommending the 2 doses be repeated.
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What should I expect after getting the shingles vaccine?

Similarly to most vaccines, an immune response is expected for 2-3 days and should self-resolve. The most common symptoms experienced are:

• A sore arm, where you received the vaccine
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• Some redness and swelling at the injection site
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• Fever (definitely normal, Cat Mama Kerry!)
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• Headache
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• Body aches
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• Stomach aches
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• Nausea  
  

You may take over-the-counter meds, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen, to help fight some of these symptoms if you’d like.
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Is there a relationship between shingles and COVID-19?

The short answer is no, not definitively. While there have been incidents of people getting shingles after their COVID vaccine, the numbers remain relatively small and scientists do not believe the COVID vaccine causes shingles. 

We get shingles when our immune system is weakened, and a number of things can make our immune system go down: lack of sleep, poor diet, when we’re sick, vaccines (👀), stress, etc. So it’s fair to wonder if after getting the COVID vaccine, you’ll have a flare up of something else.

If you are over 50, have not yet had either vaccine, and you’re concerned about the possibility of getting shingles after your COVID vaccine, my best advice is to get both vaccines together! According to the CDC, this is perfectly safe to do (opt for one vaccine in each arm to minimize soreness!). Of course, share any concerns you may have with your doctor so you can come up with a plan you are comfortable with.

As always, I appreciate you and hope you all stay healthy!