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Herpes Zoster Vaccine

(Shingles Vaccine)

By

Margot L. Savoy

, MD, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Reviewed/Revised Jul 2023
View PATIENT EDUCATION

Preparations of Herpes Zoster Vaccine

The zoster vaccine available in the United States is a recombinant vaccine.

A live-attenuated herpes zoster vaccine is no longer available for use in the United States, as of November 2020 (see CDC: Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Vaccination).

Indications for Herpes Zoster Vaccine

The zoster vaccine is a routine adult vaccination (see CDC: Adult Immunization Schedule by Age). Indications for the zoster vaccine include

  • Adults ≥ 50 years whether they have had episodes of herpes zoster or been given the live-attenuated zoster vaccine or not

  • Adults ≥ 19 years who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed because of disease or therapy

Serologic evidence of prior varicella infections is not necessary for zoster vaccination. However, if serologic evidence becomes available and indicates no previous varicella infection, health care professionals should follow ACIP guidelines for varicella vaccination. Recombinant zoster vaccine is not indicated for the prevention of varicella, and there are limited data on use in people without a history of varicella.

Contraindications and Precautions for Herpes Zoster Vaccine

Contraindications for the recombinant zoster vaccine include

Precautions include

  • Moderate or severe acute illness with or without fever (vaccination is postponed until illness resolves)

Clinical trials for the recombinant vaccine excluded pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding. There is currently no CDC recommendation for recombinant zoster vaccine use during pregnancy; therefore, health care professionals should consider delaying administration of the recombinant vaccine until after pregnancy and breastfeeding. (See also CDC: Shingrix Recommendations.)

Dose and Administration of Herpes Zoster Vaccine

The recombinant zoster vaccine dose is given IM in 2 doses (0.5 mL each), 2 to 6 months apart. Two doses of the recombinant zoster vaccine are necessary regardless of previous history of shingles or previous receipt of the live-attenuated herpes zoster vaccine.

Zoster vaccine should be given ≥ 14 days before immunosuppressive therapy is begun; some experts prefer waiting 1 month after zoster vaccination to begin immunosuppressive therapy if possible. (See also CDC: Clinical Considerations for Use of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (RZV, Shingrix) in Immunocompromised Adults Aged ≥19 Years.)

Adverse Effects of Herpes Zoster Vaccine

The most common adverse effects of the recombinant zoster vaccine are pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site and myalgia, fatigue, headache, shivering, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

More Information

The following English-language resources may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of these resources.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
SHINGRIX
View PATIENT EDUCATION
NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
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