Who Needs the Shingles Vaccine?

Shingles is a painful, blistering rash that develops when the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, is reactivated. Doctors recommend the shingles vaccine for people age 50 and older. Any adult whose immune system is weakened may also need the vaccine. The vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent shingles and its complications.

This article explains who should get the shingles vaccine and other important details about it. This article also discusses reasons why someone may choose or not choose to get the vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends Shingrix, the shingles vaccine, for people age 50 and older Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source . Shingrix is also FDA-approved for people 18 years and older Trusted Source Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Governmental authority Go to source whose immune system is weakened or compromised by a medical condition or immune-suppressing medications.

Shingles is a painful rash that typically lasts Trusted Source National Institute on Aging Governmental authority Go to source 3–5 weeks. The pain can last for years after the rash disappears, particularly in older adults Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source . Getting vaccinated can help you avoid developing the condition and prevent long-term pain, postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Shingrix is a safe and highly effective recombinant vaccine. Recombinant means the vaccine contains only part of the virus. Shingrix contains a small amount of a shingle virus protein.

You will receive two injections of Shingrix in the upper arm muscle, spaced 2–6 months apart. If the shingles virus in your body ever reactivates, your immune system is primed and can respond effectively to it.

Reasons to get the shingles vaccine include:

• About one-third of adults Trusted Source National Institute on Aging Governmental authority Go to source who have had chickenpox will get shingles, and the risk goes up with age.
• The CDC Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source estimates that Shingrix is 97% effective in preventing shingles in adults ages 50–69 whose immune systems are healthy. For people 70 and older, Shingrix is 91% effective and can provide immunity for 7 years after vaccination.
• Shingrix is also very effective at preventing PHN.

Almost everyone born before 1980 has had chickenpox, putting them at risk of developing shingles. The CDC suggests getting the vaccine even if you do not remember having chickenpox as a child. You should also get Shingrix if you:

• were previously immunized with Zostavax, a shingles vaccine that is no longer available
• have previously received the chickenpox vaccine
• have had shingles before

Not everyone should get the shingles vaccine. Reasons to avoid receiving Shingrix include:

• You have had an allergic reaction Trusted Source National Institute on Aging Governmental authority Go to source to any components in the vaccine. Talk with your doctor if you have had reactions to vaccines in the past.
• You are pregnant or may be pregnant, or you are nursing.
• You have active shingles. The vaccine is for prevention, not treatment, of the condition.
• You are currently experiencing a moderate to severe illness Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source .
• You test negative for immunity to the varicella-zoster virus. A negative test result means you have not had chickenpox. In this case, you should get the chickenpox vaccine, which is a live but weakened virus vaccine.

The vaccine’s efficacy is highest for people between ages 50 and 69 Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source whose immune systems are healthy. However, anyone 50 or older can benefit from it.

The vaccine can be expensive. Be sure to check that your insurance covers it.

For those on Medicare, Part D will cover the vaccine at no out-of-pocket cost to you. Medicaid may or may not cover the cost, so check with your insurer in advance. Some private plans may also cover it.

Other details to know include:

• Side effects of the vaccine can include redness, soreness, swelling, or itching at the site of the shot. These effects may last 2–3 days. Because the vaccine activates the immune system, other temporary side effects may include:
  • headache
  • body aches
  • chills
  • fever
  • nausea
  • fatigue
• You cannot get chickenpox or shingles from the vaccine.
• If you already have had shingles, the CDC suggests getting the vaccine anyway. There is a slight risk that shingles may come back.
• You can receive Shingrix if you are taking low dose medication to suppress the immune system, anticipating immunosuppression in the future, or recovering from an immunocompromising condition.

Shingrix, the shingles vaccine, is an effective way to substantially lower your chances of developing shingles. Doctors typically recommend that everyone age 50 and older receive the vaccine. People 18 and older with weakened immune systems may also benefit from the vaccine.

Talk with your doctor about getting the shingles vaccine.