How Long Does the Shingrix Vaccine Last?

Shingrix is a new vaccine that has been recently approved by the FDA that protects against shingles (herpes zoster or zoster), a painful rash that appears on one side of the body, head, or face. 

If you have had chickenpox in the past, you may get shingles later in life. Chickenpox and shingles are both caused by the same virus (varicella-zoster virus). Once a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in the body and can become active years later, causing shingles.

The Shingrix vaccine also provides protection against potential complications of shingles, which can include:

• Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN): PHN is the most common complication of shingles and affects the skin and nerve fibers, causing pain after the rash subsides.
• Eye complications: Shingles in and around the eye can cause eye infections that may result in:
  • Corneal ulcers
  • Glaucoma
  • Retinal necrosis
  • Partial or total vision loss
• Pneumonia: If the virus affects the lungs, it can lead to pneumonia.
• Encephalitis: If the virus affects the brain, it can cause a severe, life-threatening inflammation called encephalitis, which may lead to:
  • Memory problems
  • Mood changes
  • Epilepsy
  • Death

Healthy adults aged 50 years and older are candidates for Shingrix. Learn about who should and shouldn’t get the shingles vaccine.

Healthy adults aged 50 years and older are candidates for the shingles vaccine Shingrix. There is no age limit, and you can get the Shingrix vaccine even if you have already had shingles, have had the Zostavax vaccine, or do not remember whether you have had chickenpox in the past.

If you have already had shingles, getting the Shingrix can help protect you from the disease coming back. Studies have reported that almost every American aged 40 years and older have more than a 99% chance of having had chickenpox, and people who have had chickenpox are more likely to develop shingles in the future because both are caused by the same virus—the varicella-zoster virus.

After having shingles, there is no duration that you need to wait before getting vaccinated, although you should wait until the rash has completely disappeared. Shringrix is given in 2 doses 2-6 months apart.

Two doses of Shingrix are more than 90% effective in preventing shingles and PHN. Shingrix is around 85% effective in people over 70 years of age in the first four years after vaccination.

CDC suggests that healthy adults age 50 and older should get two doses of Shingrix, separated by two to six months.

As with most vaccines, Shingrix may have side effects, including:

• Soreness in the arm
• Headache
• Chills
• Fever
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Redness
• Swelling
• Tiredness
• Muscle pain

Side effects are usually mild and may last for two to three days. No severe side effects for Shingrix have been reported so far.

You should not get Shingrix if you:

• Have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the Shingrix vaccine
• Currently have shingles
• Currently are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Tested negative for immunity to varicella-zoster virus (negative antibodies)
• Have a moderate or severe illness with a temperature of 101.3º F
• Have gotten Varivax (chickenpox vaccine) less than eight weeks ago

The shingles vaccine may be covered by insurance depending upon the insurance program:

• Medicare: Medicare Part D covers shingles vaccine expenses, but it depends on the plan. You may need to pay either in part or full and then get it reimbursed. Medicare part B does not cover the vaccine.
• Medicaid: Medicaid may or may not cover the vaccine. You can find out by contacting your insurer. 
• Private health insurance: Most private health insurance programs cover the shingles vaccine, but you may need to pay some part of the expenses depending on your plan.
• Vaccine assistance program: Check with the Shingrix manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, if they have a Shingrix vaccine assistance program. Through vaccine assistance programs, people who cannot afford the vaccine can get help in the form of free vaccination.