How long does shingles vaccine last?

Asked by: Dr. Ana Weissnat II  |  Last update: October 12, 2023
Score: 4.6/5 (60 votes)

The shingles vaccine provides strong protection from shingles and PNH for approximately 7 years . People should aim to get the vaccine if they are aged 50 years or above with a healthy immune system or 19 years and above with a weakened immune system.

Do I need another shingles vaccine after 5 years?

Protection from shingles vaccine lasts about 5 years. While the vaccine was most effective in people 60 through 69 years old, it also provides some protection for people 70 years old and older.

How often do you need to get the shingles vaccine?

A new shingles vaccine called Shingrix was licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017. CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of Shingrix, 2 to 6 months apart.

How many years is the shingles vaccine effective?

The shingles vaccine has been found to be effective for up to 10 years after it's given. Since the protection lasts so long, it's unlikely that we'll ever need shingles booster shots. Ask your provider if you're eligible for a shingles vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Is Shingrix given every 5 years?

The effects of the Shingrix vaccine last for at least four years in most people and may last even longer in some. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you do not need a booster dose after getting the two doses of Shingrix.

Expert Insights: Should I Get the Shingles Vaccine?

32 related questions found

When should I repeat Shingrix vaccine?

Shingrix is administered as a 2-dose series by the intramuscular route. The second dose should be given 2 to 6 months after the first dose, with a minimum interval of 1 month (4 weeks) between doses.

How long can you keep Shingrix vaccine?

After reconstitution, administer SHINGRIX immediately or store refrigerated between 2° and 8°C (36° and 46°F) and use within 6 hours. Discard reconstituted vaccine if not used within 6 hours.

Should I get the new shingles vaccine if I had the old one?

If you got a shingles vaccine in the past, still get Shingrix. You may have already got a different shingles vaccine called Zostavax, which is no longer in use in the United States. If you did, you still need 2 doses of Shingrix.

What triggers a shingles outbreak?

Shingles is caused when the chickenpox virus is reactivated. After a person has had chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in certain nerves for many years. Shingles is more common in people with weakened immune systems, and in people over the age of 50.

Why is the new shingles vaccine better than the old one?

The vaccine also contains molecules that make the body's immune response stronger and last longer. For these reasons, Shingrix provides better and longer-lasting protection against both shingles and PHN than the older vaccine, Zostavax.

Should an 80 year old get the shingles vaccine?

Healthy adults age 50 and older should get vaccinated with the shingles vaccine, Shingrix, which is given in two doses.

Can I get shingles vaccine and COVID booster at same time?

Yes. You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccinations like a flu or shingles vaccine at the same time or close together, according to the CDC.

What is the difference between the old and new shingles vaccine?

Unlike the other vaccine that's been available for shingles since 2006, called Zostavax, this new vaccine is inactivated. That means it does not contain a live virus. Because of that, it is safe in people who have weakened immune systems.

Does stress give you shingles?

Stress can increase your risk of developing shingles,” says Dr. Thaker. “A severe amount of stress can weaken the immune system, which can allow the virus to reactivate.”

What are the odds of getting shingles?

About 1 in 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their life. Your risk of having shingles increases as you get older or if you have a weakened immune system. Most people who have shingles only have it one time. However, you can have shingles more than once.

How many times can you get shingles?

Once a person has chickenpox, the virus stays in their body. The virus can reactivate later in life and cause shingles. Most people who develop shingles only have it one time during their life. However, you can have shingles more than once.

Does the Shingrix vaccine wear off?

How long does the shingles vaccine work for? The Shingrix vaccine provides protection from shingles for at least 7 years. In adults aged 50 and over with a healthy immune system, it is at least 90% effective. However, its effectiveness can vary depending on a person's age and immune system.

Does Shingrix have long term side effects?

Shingrix isn't known to cause long-term side effects to occur. Side effects of Shingrix that were reported in clinical trials were short term. In fact, most side effects from this vaccine only lasted between 2 and 3 days before easing.

What are the side effects of the Shingrix vaccine in 2023?

If the new shingles vaccine made you feel worse than you expected, you're not alone. Skin rash, joint pain, flu-like symptoms, headaches and fatigue are some complaints from patients who've had the recently approved Shingrix vaccine.

Why was Zostavax discontinued?

One side effect of Zostavax that cannot be ignored is the potential to cause death, which is why it was ultimately discontinued. Other side effects it can cause are blindness, chickenpox, nerve damage, and paralysis.