The vaccine also reduced by 67% the number of cases of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and reduced the severity and duration of pain and discomfort associated with shingles, by 61%. The FDA originally recommended it for individuals 60 years of age or older who are not severely allergic to any of its components and who meet the following requirements:
do not have a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS or another disease or medications (such as steroids, radiation and chemotherapy) that affect the immune system;
do not have a history of cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, such as leukemia or lymphoma; and
do not have active, untreated tuberculosis.In 2006, the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that the live vaccine be given to all adults age 60 and over, including those who have had a previous episode of shingles, and those who do not recall having had chickenpox, since more than 99% of Americans ages 40 and older have had chickenpox. Side effects
Shingrix
Temporary side effects from the Shingrix shots are likely and can be severe enough in one out of six people to affect normal daily activities for up to three days. Mild to moderate pain at the injection site is common, and some may have redness or swelling. Side effects include fatigue, muscle pain, headache, shivering, fever, and nausea. Symptoms usually resolve in two to three days.
Vaccine already held by practitioners could still be administered up to the expiration date (none expired later than November 2020).The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of Shingrix, at least two months apart. Initial clinical trials only tested a gap of less than six months between doses, but unexpected popularity and resulting shortages caused further testing to validate wider spacing of the two doses. Shingrix, which provides strong protection against shingles and PHN, was preferred over Zostavax before Zostavax was discontinued.The zoster vaccine is covered by Medicare Part D. In 2019, more than 90% of Medicare Part D vaccine spending was for the zoster vaccine. 5.8 million vaccine doses were administered to Part D beneficiaries that year at a cost of $857 million. References
Further reading
World Health Organization (2014). "Varicella and herpes zoster vaccines : WHO position paper, June 2014" (PDF). Weekly Epidemiological Record. 89 (25): 265–287. hdl:10665/242227. PMID 24983077. Hamborsky J, Kroger A, Wolfe S, eds. (2015). "Chapter 22: Varicella". Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (13th ed.). Washington D.C.: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ISBN 978-0990449119. External links
Zostavax Product Page U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Shingrix Product Page U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
"Shingrix Vaccine Information Statement". U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 29 July 2021. "Zostavax (Herpes Zoster Vaccine) Questions and Answers". Questions about Vaccines. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 18 February 2021.