If you have shingles, direct contact with the fluid from your rash blisters can spread the virus to people who have never had chicken pox or never received the chicken pox vaccine. If this happens and if they become infected, they will develop chicken pox, not shingles. They could then potentially develop shingles later in life.*

Research has shown that two doses of Shingrix provide strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication of shingles, specifically: 

• In adults 50 to 69 years old with normal immune systems, Shingrix was about 97% effective in preventing shingles; in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective.

• In adults 50 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective in preventing PHN; in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 89% effective.

• In adults with weakened immune systems, Shingrix was between 68% and 91% effective in preventing shingles, depending on the adult’s underlying immunocompromising condition.

• In people 70 years and older who had normal immune systems, Shingrix immunity remained high even seven years after being vaccinated.  

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html

Medicare Part B covers preventive care vaccines for flu, COVID-19, pneumonia and hepatitis B at no cost. Medicare Part D covers preventive care vaccines for shingles and Tdap at no cost. Certain other vaccines, such as vaccines used for treatment purposes or vaccines not recommend by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), may be covered with cost sharing. Visit Medicare.gov to learn more.

You should not get the Shingrix vaccine if you:

• Have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine or after a dose of Shingrix.

• Currently have shingles.

You should wait to get the Shingrix vaccine if you:

• Are currently pregnant.  

• Have a moderate or severe illness, with or without fever. You should probably wait until you recover. If, however, you have a minor illness, such as a cold, you may get the Shingrix vaccine. 

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html

Because the vaccine helps your body create a strong defense against shingles, you are likely to have temporary side effects from getting the shots. You may experience side effects after either dose or after both doses, such as:

• Redness, soreness or swelling at the site of the vaccination.
• Tiredness, muscle pain, headache, shivering, fever, stomach pain or nausea.

About one out of six people who receive the vaccine experienced side effects that prevented them from doing regular activities. Symptoms usually go away on their own in about two to three days.*

For many people, the early signs are pain, itching or tingling in the area(s) where a painful skin rash will later appear.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/symptoms.html

You should get Shingrix even if you previously:

• Had shingles

• Received Zostavax

• Received the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine

There is no maximum age that eliminates the need for getting Shingrix.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html     

They are related because they are caused by the same virus (varicella-zoster virus). Even after a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant (inactive) in the body. Years later, it can reactivate and cause shingles.

Keep in mind, more than 99% of Americans born on or before 1980 have had chickenpox. So even if you don’t remember having the disease, you should talk with your health care provider about getting the Shingrix vaccine. 

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html     

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