Are side effects worse after second Shingrix vaccine?
Asked by: Keon Frami | Last update: October 30, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (74 votes)
When do Shingrix side effects peak?
Side effects typically occur a few hours after receiving the second shot. These symptoms typically last one to three days. If symptoms last longer than one week, talk to your doctor.
Is second Shingrix shot worse than first?
The second dose of Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine) may cause side effects that are worse than the first. 1 The second dose is given between 2 and 6 months after the first. Don't skip the second shot, even if you are concerned about side effects.
What is considered a bad reaction to the shingles vaccine?
Severe allergic reactions following vaccination are rare, but can be life threatening. If someone experiences symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, which can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness.
What percentage of people have a bad reaction to Shingrix?
Adverse events of arthralgia, infective pneumonia, and influenza-like illnesses occurred in ≥1% of recipients of SHINGRIX and at a rate at least 1.5-fold higher than placebo (1.5% vs 1.0%, 1.5% vs 0.9%, and 1.3% vs 0.6%, respectively).
What are the side effects of the shingles shot?
What helps feel better after shingles vaccine?
Taking an over-the-counter pain medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen after getting Shingrix can help ease discomfort from side effects. Contact your doctor if you have serious side effects.
What is the controversy with the Shingrix vaccine?
A warning about GBS was already included in the Shingrix PI. This described the findings of an observational study in individuals aged 65 years or older which showed an increased risk of GBS (estimated 3 excess cases per million doses administered) observed during the 6 weeks following vaccination.
Is it normal to be extremely tired after getting the shingles shot?
Side effects of the shingles vaccine
swelling, itchiness, bruising or pain where the injection was given. a headache. an aching body. feeling tired.
Does Tylenol reduce the effectiveness of Shingrix?
No interactions were found between acetaminophen and Shingrix.
What are the chances of getting Guillain-Barré from the shingles vaccine?
Hospitalizations due to shingles have been estimated at 45,000–75,000 annually. In comparison, based on post-marketing surveillance data, the estimated risk of GBS after Shingrix is only around three excess cases per million doses administered. Most vaccine adverse events, like GBS, are transient and self-limited.
Why do some doctors not recommend the shingles vaccine?
But safety in pregnant women has not been proven yet, and so it is not recommended during pregnancy. Severe reaction to an earlier dose. If you had a severe allergic reaction after the first dose of RZV, you shouldn't have the second dose. Be careful also if you have had allergic reactions to other vaccines.
When is it too late to get the second shingles vaccine?
The second dose of RZV should typically be given 2–6 months after the first. However, for persons who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed and who would benefit from completing the series in a shorter period, the second dose can be administered 1–2 months after the first.
What medications should I avoid after the shingles vaccine?
- acetaminophen.
- anakinra.
- azathioprine.
- baricitinib.
- cancer medications (e.g., carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, ifosfamide, venetoclax, vincristine)
What triggers shingles to flare up?
After having chickenpox, the virus stays in the nerve cells of your body but is not active. Shingles occurs when the virus becomes active again usually many years later. The virus may be reactivated by stress, illness, immunosuppression, older age, trauma and radiotherapy. But shingles often occurs for no known reason.
Do most people get sick from the shingles vaccine?
Some people feel a little sick for a few days. But for most people, symptoms are not severe. If you haven't gotten the shingles vaccine (Shingrix) because you've heard it can make you feel sick, you might want to reconsider.
Why was the shingles vaccine taken off the market?
Merck & Co.'s Zostavax was discontinued in 2020 because of waning effectiveness over time. Curevo hopes to change that and go head-to-head with GSK's Shingrix — which notched $4.3 billion sales last year — with a vaccine that's as effective but has a lower rate of side effects.
What are the first signs of shingles?
Early symptoms
People can have pain, itching, or tingling in the area where the rash will develop. This early warning sign can happen several days before the rash appears. People can also have a fever before the rash appears.
Is the shingles vaccine good for a lifetime?
Immunity from the vaccine lessens over time, but it does so very gradually. Studies have shown that among people age 70 and older, Shingrix provides at least 85% protection against shingles for up to four years after completing the two-dose series,3 and remains high for at least seven years.
How can I speed up the recovery from shingles?
Early treatment with prescription antiviral drugs may speed healing and lower your risk of complications. These drugs include: Acyclovir (Zovirax) Famciclovir.
Why is the shingles vaccine not given over 80?
The vaccine's effect diminishes with age, therefore people aged 80 or older aren't eligible to receive the vaccine.