Should I get the shingles vaccine? If I've already had shingles, should I get the vaccine so that I don't get shingles again?

Answer From Pritish K. Tosh, M.D.

People who are eligible to get it should get the Shingrix vaccine in the U.S.

Shingrix is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for adults age 50 and older for the prevention of shingles and related complications, whether they've already had shingles or not. You may get the Shingrix vaccine even if you've already had shingles. Also, consider getting the Shingrix vaccine if you've had the Zostavax vaccine in the past, or if you don't know whether you've had chickenpox.

Shingrix is a nonliving vaccine made of a virus component. It's given in two doses, with 2-6 months between doses. The most common side effects of a shingles vaccine are redness, pain, tenderness, swelling and itching at the injection site, and headaches.

The shingles vaccine Zostavax is no longer sold in the U.S. but may be available in other countries.

Although some people will develop shingles despite vaccination, the vaccine may reduce the severity and duration of it. It can also reduce the risk of postherpetic neuralgia, a shingles complication that causes shingles pain to continue long after the blisters have cleared. Studies suggest protection against shingles with Shingrix may extend beyond five years.

Talk to your doctor about your vaccination options if you:

  • Have ever had an allergic reaction to any component of the shingles vaccine
  • Have a weakened immune system due to a condition or medication
  • Have had a stem cell transplant
  • Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant

The cost of the shingles vaccine may not be covered by Medicare, Medicaid or insurance. Check your plan.

With

Pritish K. Tosh, M.D.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Sept. 21, 2021 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Blisters: First aid
  2. Fatigue
  3. Headache
  4. Mayo Clinic Minute: Why vaccines are especially important for older people
  5. Numbness
  6. Shingles
  7. Shingles and alcohol
  8. Shingles vaccine: Can I transmit the vaccine virus to others?
  9. Common skin rashes
  10. Symptom Checker
  11. Taking care of a blister? Here's how
  12. Integrative approaches to treating pain
  13. Nutrition and pain
  14. Pain rehabilitation
  15. Self-care approaches to treating pain
  16. Vaccine guidance from Mayo Clinic
  17. Vaccines for adults