Shingles Vaccination

"What Everyone Should Know about the Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix)

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Shingles vaccination is the only way to protect against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication from shingles.

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. Adults 19 years and older who have weakened immune systems because of disease or therapy should also get two doses of Shingrix, as they have a higher risk of getting shingles and related complications.

Your doctor or pharmacist can give you Shingrix as a shot in your upper arm.

Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and PHN. In adults 50 years and older who have healthy immune systems, Shingrix is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and PHN. Immunity stays strong for at least the first 7 years after vaccination. In adults with weakened immune systems, studies show that Shingrix is 68%-91% effective in preventing shingles, depending on the condition that affects the immune system.

Who Should Get Shingrix?

Adults 50 years and older should get two doses of Shingrix, separated by 2 to 6 months. Adults 19 years and older who have or will have weakened immune systems because of disease or therapy should also get two doses of Shingrix. If needed, people with weakened immune systems can get the second dose 1 to 2 months after the first.

You should get Shingrix even if in the past you:

• Had shingles
• Received Zostavax*
• Received varicella (chickenpox) vaccine

There is no maximum age for getting Shingrix.

If you had shingles in the past, Shingrix can help prevent future occurrences of the disease. There is no specific length of time that you need to wait after having shingles before you can receive Shingrix, but generally you should make sure the shingles rash has gone away before getting vaccinated.

Chickenpox and shingles are related because they are caused by the same virus (varicella-zoster virus). After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body. It can reactivate years later and cause shingles.

• You can get Shingrix whether or not you remember having had chickenpox in the past.
• More than 99% of Americans born on or before 1980 have had chickenpox, even if they don’t remember having the disease.
• Adults with weakened immune systems and no documented history of chickenpox disease, chickenpox vaccination, or shingles should talk to their healthcare provider, who can refer to the CDC Clinical Considerations for Use of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (RZV, Shingrix) in Immunocompromised Adults Aged ≥19 Years | CDC and Chickenpox (Varicella) Vaccination | CDC for further guidance.

Shingrix is available in doctor’s offices and pharmacies..."
Shingles 

Get the New Shingrix Vaccine If You Are 50 or Older

"Shingles is a painful rash illness, which sometimes leads to long-term nerve pain. A shingles vaccine called Shingrix is the best way to help protect yourself against shingles.

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. Get the second dose 2 to 6 months after you get the first dose.

If you got a shingles vaccine in the past, still get Shingrix

• You may have already got a different shingles vaccine called Zostavax. If you did, you still need 2 doses of Shingrix.

Make a plan to get 2 doses

• You can get Shingrix at your doctor’s office or pharmacy. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting Shingrix.
• Call your health insurance provider ahead of time to see if they will cover the vaccine.
• Plan to get your second dose of Shingrix 2 to 6 months after your first dose..."
  Shingrix

New Shingles Vaccine Fact Sheet for Adults

"Shingles is a painful rash illness, which sometimes leads to long-term nerve pain. A shingles vaccine called Shingrix is the best way to help protect yourself against shingles.

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. Get the second dose 2 to 6 months after you get the first dose.

If you got a shingles vaccine in the past, still get Shingrix

• You may have already got a different shingles vaccine called Zostavax. If you did, you still need 2 doses of Shingrix.

Make a plan to get 2 doses

• You can get Shingrix at your doctor’s office or pharmacy. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting Shingrix.
• Call your health insurance provider ahead of time to see if they will cover the vaccine.
• Plan to get your second dose of Shingrix 2 to 6 months after your first dose..."
  Shingles

Prevent Shingles

"Shingles causes a painful, blistering skin rash. Almost 1 out of 3 people in the United States will develop shingles during their lifetime. Your risk of shingles increases as you get older. If you are 60 years of age or older get the shingles vaccine.

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, causes a painful, blistering skin rash that can last two to four weeks. For some people, the pain can last for months or even years after the rash goes away. This pain is called postherpetic neuralgia or PHN. It is the most common complication of shingles. The risk of shingles and PHN increases as you get older.

People have described pain from shingles as excruciating, aching, burning, stabbing, and shock-like. It has been compared to the pain of childbirth or kidney stones. This pain may also lead to depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Shingles can interfere with activities of daily living like dressing, bathing, eating, cooking, shopping, and travel. Shingles can lead to eye complications that can result in vision loss..."

Shingles

Prevent Shingles

"Shingles is also known as herpes zoster. It causes a painful, blistering skin rash that can last 2 to 4 weeks.."
Shingles

Protect Yourself against Shingles:

"Shingles is also known as herpes zoster. It causes a painful, blistering skin rash that can last 2 to 4 weeks. Some people may develop severe nerve pain that can last for months or even years after the rash goes away. This is called postherpetic neuralgia or PHN. It is the most common complication of shingles. Older adults are more likely to get PHN. Shingles can lead to other serious complications, including eye problems (when shingles affects the eye)..."