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Around the time you turn 50, you’ll need to step up your healthcare routine to avoid things like shingles, a painful infection that causes a viral rash. Luckily, there’s a shot to help prevent it: Shingrix, the shingles vaccine.
“The Shingrix vaccine triggers the immune system to respond to the varicella virus and suppress the outbreak of shingles,” says David Cutler, MD, a family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people 50 years and older receive the vaccine, which is administered in two doses (the second dose is given anytime between two and six months after the first dose)—as should adults 19 years or older with a weakened immune system. As you prepare for your shot, here’s what you need to know about the side effects of the shingles vaccine.
What are the side effects of the shingles vaccine?
Similar to other vaccinations, the Shingrix shot can cause a sore arm at the injection site or some moderate swelling. You may experience side effects after one or both shots. This is a typical immunization response as your body builds a defense against possible infection.
The most common side effects of Shingrix include:
- Pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
Gastrointestinal symptoms—including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain—can also occur, though slightly less often.
Side effects are most common in older adults, ages 50 to 69. They’re less likely to occur in patients 70 and over, according to Jodie Pepin, Pharm.D., the clinical pharmacy program director at Harbor Health.
Rare shingles vaccine side effects
As with any vaccine, there is a possibility for more serious Shingrix side effects. Although not common, you should contact your healthcare provider if you experience decreased mobility of the injected arm (lasting one or more weeks), changes in vision, fever, or swollen lymph glands.
Seek immediate medical care if you experience hives, shortness of breath, swelling of the throat or tongue, anaphylaxis, fast heartbeat, dizziness, weakness, or any other life-threatening symptoms.
Does Shingrix cause Guillain Barre Syndrome?
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare nervous system disorder that attacks an individual’s peripheral nerves, which first causes weakness and tingling in the limbs. According to the FDA, Guillain-Barré syndrome has been reported very rarely after Shingrix.
While there’s no causal relationship between Shingrix and GBS, Drs. Pepin and Cutler note that two larger studies showed an association of the disorder with the vaccine. In a 2021 study, there were three GBS cases per 1 million doses of Shingrix administered, and they always appeared within the first 42 days after getting the first dose of the vaccine. No increased GBS risk was present after the second dose, Dr. Pepin says.
“A very small risk of GBS has been associated with vaccinations in general, not just Shingrix,” Dr. Pepin says. While most GBS cases are linked to an existing bacterial or viral infection, anyone with a history of GBS should speak with their healthcare provider before getting the shingles vaccine.
How long do shingles vaccine side effects last?
You can expect Shingrix side effects to clear up in two or three days, but some can last up to five days. In the meantime, you can use ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help ease your symptoms, if needed.
How long after the Shingrix shot do side effects appear?
They should show up in the first few hours following each dose, though they can still occur up to a few days after the shot. Allergic reactions will occur either immediately or within 15 minutes of your vaccination and may include hives, swelling of the face, or difficulty breathing.
When should I see a doctor for shingles vaccine side effects?
“Side effects which last longer [than a few days] or are not relieved by over-the-counter medication should be evaluated by a physician,” Dr. Cutler says.
Serious side effects indicative of an allergic reaction warrant an emergency room visit. These include hives, rashes, difficulty breathing, a faster heartbeat, severe weakness or dizziness, or any swelling in your face, throat, or tongue.
What to do after getting the shingles vaccine
Consider taking a break from strenuous activities so you don’t exacerbate the side effects you may experience. “A small amount of people, about 1 in 6, report being unable to perform their normal activities for about one to two days after vaccination,” Dr. Pepin says.
Even if you’re feeling worn out, you don’t have to worry that it’s shingles. “The vaccine does not cause infection, so there is no risk of transmitting contagious disease from getting a shingles vaccine,” Dr. Pepin explains.
Is the second Shingrix shot worse than the first?
The reaction varies from person to person, and you may not even feel any side effects. However, anecdotally, Dr. Pepin says side effects can be more difficult after the second dose.
What medications should I avoid after the shingles vaccine?
Most medications are okay to take after the shingles vaccine, and you may want ibuprofen or another painkiller to help with any side effects. If you are undergoing chemotherapy, or taking certain medications including corticosteroids like prednisone or other medications that suppress your immune system, like azathioprine, cyclosporine, or tacrolimus, consult your healthcare provider for more information about potential drug interactions and the best time to get the Shingrix vaccine.
Who should get the shingles vaccine?
Adults 50 years and older should get two doses of the Shingrix vaccine to protect against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (the most common complication of shingles, which causes a burning pain in nerves and skin and can last for a very long time). You will receive the shots between two and six months apart. According to the CDC, Shingrix provides strong immunity for at least seven years in adults with healthy immune systems.
Individuals between 19 to 49 years old who have a weakened immune system, should also receive two doses of the shingles vaccine because they are at increased risk for contracting the virus.
Who shouldn’t get the shingles vaccine?
While the vaccine is safe for most people, the following groups should skip it:
- People who have had a severe allergic reaction or anaphylactic reaction to any ingredient in the Shingrix vaccine
- People who had an allergic reaction after the first dose of Shingrix
People who have an active shingles infection will be advised to wait until they feel better and symptoms are clear before vaccination.
If you are pregnant, your healthcare provider will have you wait until after your pregnancy to get Shingrix. If you are breastfeeding, your healthcare provider will likely give you the Shingrix vaccine.
You can still get the vaccine if you’re sick with a minor illness like a cold. But if it’s anything worse—whether you have a fever or not—wait until after you recover to get the vaccine.
Do I need the shingles vaccine if I have never had chickenpox?
Because shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by a reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus), you might wonder what to do if you’ve never been exposed to the virus through chickenpox.
The CDC recommends receiving the shingles vaccine whether or not you know you had chickenpox, as you could have had it but been asymptomatic—or not remember it. You also should receive Shingrix even if you received the chickenpox vaccine.
“The Shingrix vaccine to prevent shingles is not the same as the varicella vaccine to prevent chickenpox,” Dr. Cutler says. He says if you’ve never had chickenpox and never got that vaccine, you should get both the chickenpox and the shingles vaccine.
Shingrix is covered by Medicare Part D and specific health insurance plans. If you do not have coverage, you can save money with SingleCare shingles vaccine coupons when getting vaccinated at a participating pharmacy.
