Is Shingrix still recommended?

Asked by: Leann Dickinson  |  Last update: November 29, 2023
Score: 5/5 (33 votes)

Routine Vaccination of People 50 Years Old and Older
CDC recommends Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine, or RZV) for the prevention of herpes zoster (shingles) and related complications.

Do most doctors recommend Shingrix?

CDC recommends that adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine called Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine) to prevent shingles and the complications from the disease.

Do I really need Shingrix?

If you're 50 or older, get Shingrix

Shingrix provides strong protection from shingles and long-term nerve pain. Get Shingrix even if you already had shingles, because you can get the disease more than once. Your risk of shingles and complications increases as you age. You need 2 doses of Shingrix.

How often do you need a shingles shot after 65?

The shingles vaccine is given as an injection into the upper arm. Unlike the flu vaccine, you'll only need to have the vaccination once and you can have it at any time of the year. Most people will only need 1 dose, but some people who cannot have the routine vaccine for health reasons will need 2 doses.

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.

Expert Insights: Should I Get the Shingles Vaccine?

16 related questions found

What are the disadvantages of shingles vaccine?

Like all vaccines, the shingles vaccines (Zostavax and Shingrix) can cause side effects, but they're generally mild and do not last long. Common side effects that occur in at least 1 in 10 people are: headache. redness, pain, swelling, itching and warmth at the injection site.

What are the negative effects of shingles vaccine?

The most common side effects of SHINGRIX are:

Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site. Muscle pain. Tiredness. Headache.

Do you need a booster after shingles vaccine?

Previous studies had shown the shingles vaccine offered protection for up to seven years. Since the vaccine's efficacy is long-lasting, experts say it's unlikely people will ever need a shingles booster shot.

Do you repeat the shingles vaccine every 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.

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.

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.

Why does Shingrix cost so much?

Only one pharmaceutical company—Merck—makes the shingles shot, and there's currently no generic version. That means if you haven't met your annual deductible, you'll likely wind up paying full price for the shot, which is about $217.

Is Shingrix recommended if never had chickenpox?

Do I need the shingles vaccine if I've never had chickenpox? Yes. The chances are that you have had chickenpox at some point without knowing it. Some people have chickenpox without displaying any of the typical chickenpox symptoms, such as a rash.

Who should avoid Shingrix?

Who Should Not Get Shingrix. People with a history of severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine or after a previous dose of Shingrix. People who currently have shingles, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, should wait to get Shingrix.

Who is not a candidate for Shingrix the shingles vaccine?

Contraindications and Precautions for Shingles Vaccination

A person who has a weakened immune system because of: HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system, treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids, cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy, or.

What is the alternative to Shingrix?

Alternatives to Shingrix

This other vaccine was called Zostavax. Like Shingrix, it was approved to prevent shingles (herpes zoster).

How many shingles shots do you need in a lifetime?

The CDC recommends all healthy adults ages 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine to prevent shingles and problems that can develop after you've had the disease. The two doses should be separated by two to six months.

Are the side effects of the second Shingrix shot as bad as the first?

Shingrix is administered in two doses, usually two to six months apart. Shingrix is safe and effective for most people. Side effects from the second dose of Shingrix are somewhat more common than the first dose, although that's not always the case. Most side effects of Shingrix are mild and resolve on their own.

How long is a shingles vaccine good for?

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.

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.

How did I get shingles if I never had chickenpox?

People cannot get shingles without having recovered from chickenpox. The reactivation of VZV in a person's body causes shingles. There is also a low risk of a person developing shingles after having direct contact with a shingles rash. The chickenpox virus is more likely to spread VZV to others than shingles.

How much does the Shingrix vaccine cost?

As of January 2023, manufacturer GSK reports the list price for the Shingrix vaccine as $366.82 or $183.41 per dose. If you don't have health insurance, your pharmacy may charge more than the list price for the vaccine. According to GoodRx, the average retail price per dose of Shingrix is about $213.

Can shingles affect blood pressure?

Also, the pain in acute cases may be so severe that the stress can increase blood pressure to unhealthy levels.

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.