Shingles Vaccine

The shingles vaccines Shingrix® and Zostavax® protect against infections with the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Zostavax can potentially cause severe shingles, chickenpox, or even death in sick people.

Table of Contents

What is the shingles vaccine?
Who gets the shingles vaccine?
Who should NOT get the vaccine?
What is the immunization schedule for shingles?
What are common side effects of Zostavax?
Can Zostavax cause shingles?
What are severe side effects of Zostavax?
What other side effects have been reported?
Where can I get more information?

What is the shingles vaccine?

Shingrix® is the only shingles vaccines on the market in the U.S., because Merck discontinued sales of Zostavax® in November 2020.

Zostavax was approved in May 2006 to prevent shingles (herpes zoster), a disease that occurs in 30% of people who are infected with the varicella zoster chickenpox virus.

Zostavax is a live attenuated virus vaccine that is approved for individuals 50 years of age and older, but it is only recommended for adults over 60. The vaccine is given as a 0.65-mL injection in the upper arm.

Zostavax reduces the risk of shingles by 51% in adults over 60 years old. People who develop shingles despite getting the vaccine are 65% less likely to develop chronic nerve pain due to Post-Herpetic Neuralgia.

Who gets the shingles vaccine?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people 60 years and older get a shingles vaccine, but Zostavax is approved for adults 50 years and older.

Who should NOT get the vaccine?

Pregnant women (avoid pregnancy for 3 months after vaccination)
History of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to gelatin, neomycin, or any other ingredient in the vaccine
People who have a severe illness
Weakened immune system (immunosuppression or immunodeficiency)
History of leukemia, lymphoma, cancer of the bone marrow, AIDS

What is the immunization schedule for shingles?

The immunization schedule for shingles is a single shot of Zostavax at the age of 60 years old.

What are common side effects of Zostavax?

Zostavax commonly causes injection-site reactions (1 in 3) and headaches (1 in 70). The following is a list of the most common side effects of the shingles vaccine:

Chickenpox-like skin rash near the injection
Headache
Injection-site pain, tenderness, swelling, redness, itching, warmth, or hard lump
Shingles skin rash (contagious)

To learn more about the side effects associated with the shingles vaccine, please visit this page: Shingles Vaccine Side Effects.

Can Zostavax cause shingles?

Yes. Zostavax contains a live virus that is attenuated (weakened), but it sometimes causes severe shingles infections. Zostavax can be deadly for sick people. Several people have died after receiving Zostavax because their immune system was not strong enough to fight off an infection with the virus in the vaccine. Furthermore, healthy people who get Zostavax frequently develop a contagious skin rash that can spread shingles infections or chickenpox to other people.

What are severe side effects of Zostavax?

The most severe side effects of Zostavax include:

Serious neurological diseases or disorders, including brain inflammation (encephalitis)
Herpetic Neuralgia (disorder in the nerves)
Postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN (pain continuing after shingles blister subside)
Myelitis (spinal cord inflammation)
Bell’s Palsy (facial paralysis)
Vision problems, including: blindness, eye infections, and retinal damage (necrotizing retinitis)
Hearing loss
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)

Allergic reactions and serious hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis, have occurred in patients who received Zostavax.

Zostavax contains a live virus and people who get the vaccine may develop shingles. These infections can potentially result in chronic pain, Post-Herpetic Neuralgia, other shingles complications, or death.

People who get Zostavax may spread shingles or chickenpox infections to non-immune people. Transmission of the shingles virus has occurred between vaccinated people and their contacts.

Zostavax should be delayed in patients who are sick, fever, or active untreated tuberculosis. There are reports of sick people who died after receiving Zostavax.

Pregnant women should not get Zostavax because the virus in the vaccine can cause fetal harm, birth defects, or death. Pregnancy should be avoided for 3 months following immunization with Zostavax.

What other side effects have been reported?

Arthralgia (joint pain)
Anaphylactic reactions
Chickenpox
Death
Enlarged lymph nodes
Fever
Herpes zoster (vaccine strain)
Hypersensitivity reactions
Injection-site rash, hives
Muscle aches (myalgia)
Nausea
Necrotizing retinitis (patients on immunosuppressive therapy)
Rash
Shingles infection from vaccine virus

Can Shingles vaccines cause a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)?

Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) is a potential side effect of all vaccines that are injected with a needle into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm, near the shoulder.

SIRVA typically occurs when the needle accidentally hits sensitive tissues in the shoulder because it is injected too high or too deep, triggering inflammation, pain, pain, weakness, and limited mobility.

Can I file a Shingles vaccine lawsuit?

Our lawyers are evaluating shingles vaccine lawsuits for anyone who suffered a shoulder injury (SIRVA) from Zostavax® or Shingrix®.

Where can I get more information?

0 Shares

Tags: shingles zostavax