FAQs| SHINGRIX (Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted)

WHAT IS SHINGLES, AND HOW CAN SHINGRIX HELP PROTECT AGAINST IT?

Shingles is an itchy and painful skin rash caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox). The shingles rash can last for weeks and the pain from the rash can make it difficult to go to work, sleep, or spend time with family. SHINGRIX uses your body’s immune system to boost your body’s protection against shingles.

Learn more about how SHINGRIX works to help protect you from shingles.

I FEEL HEALTHY; AM I REALLY AT RISK FOR SHINGLES?

No matter how healthy you feel, your immune system declines as you age, and that puts you at an increased risk for shingles. If you’re one of the 99% of adults over 50 years old who have had chickenpox, the virus (varicella zoster) that causes shingles is inside your body and can reactivate at any time.

1 in 3 people will get shingles in their lifetime.

DOES MY RISK OF SHINGLES INCREASE AS I GET OLDER?

Yes. Even if you feel healthy, your immune system declines as you age, and that puts you at an increased risk for shingles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a person’s risk for shingles increases sharply after 50 years of age.

IS SHINGLES CONTAGIOUS?

You cannot get shingles from someone who has shingles. However, a person with active shingles can spread the varicella zoster virus (the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles) to someone who has never had chickenpox—or who has never received the chickenpox vaccine. In this case, the person exposed to the virus might develop chickenpox. The virus can spread through direct contact with fluid from the blisters of the shingles rash. Once the shingles blisters have developed crusts, the virus can no longer spread.

CAN YOU GET SHINGLES MORE THAN ONCE?

Most people who develop shingles have only one episode during their lifetime. However, it is possible to develop shingles more than once.

DO OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS INCREASE MY RISK OF SHINGLES?

Your risk for shingles increases sharply after 50 years of age. In addition, some underlying health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, COPD, or asthma put you at an increased risk of shingles.

If you're over 50 years old and have any of these conditions, talk to your doctor about shingles vaccination.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS SHINGRIX IN ADULTS 50 YEARS AND OLDER?

In clinical studies, compared with placebo, SHINGRIX was shown to be over 90% effective in preventing shingles in adults 50 years and older.*

^*Studies excluded patients who were considered immunocompromised.

Learn more about how SHINGRIX works to protect you from shingles.

HOW MANY SHOTS OF SHINGRIX DO I NEED TO RECEIVE, AND WHEN?

SHINGRIX is given as a 2-dose series. To get the protection against shingles offered by SHINGRIX, it's important to receive both shots. After your first dose, the second dose should be administered 2 to 6 months later.

For people who are or will be immunocompromised due to disease or therapy, and might benefit from a shorter vaccination schedule, the second dose can be administered 1 to 2 months later.

Sign up for text message reminders to get your first dose. If you’ve already had your first dose, sign up for text, email, and voice reminders for your second dose.

For more information, talk to your doctor about SHINGRIX.

CAN I GET SHINGRIX AT THE SAME TIME AS MY FLU SHOT?

Yes, SHINGRIX can be administered at the same time as a flu shot. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about getting both shots.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF THE SHINGRIX VACCINE?

Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, muscle pain, tiredness, headache, shivering, fever, and upset stomach are the most common side effects. In studies, these side effects had a median duration of 2 to 3 days. Learn more about the safety and other possible side effects, and talk to your doctor at your next appointment so they can help you feel informed about your choice.

I HAD ANOTHER SHINGLES VACCINE SEVERAL YEARS AGO. DO I STILL NEED TO GET SHINGRIX TO BE PROTECTED?

The CDC recommends that people who previously received Zostavax should receive SHINGRIX.

Zostavax is a trademark owned by Merck & Co., Inc.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS SHINGRIX IN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED ADULTS?

In a clinical study in post-autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients 18 years and older, compared with placebo, SHINGRIX was 68% effective in preventing shingles.

In another study, in adults 18 years and older with hematologic malignancies, compared with placebo, SHINGRIX was 87% effective in preventing shingles.^†

^†Data from a post hoc analysis.

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