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Shingles vaccine

Zostavax, Shingrix

Granskad av Sid DajaniSenast uppdaterad av Michael Stewart, MRPharmSSenast uppdaterad 12 Sept 2022

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Zostavax® or Shingrix® are given as part of a vaccine immunisation programme to protect against shingles.

The vaccine will be injected under your skin or into the muscle of your upper arm.

The most common side-effects are tenderness at the site of the injection and headache. These should soon pass.

Överblick

  • The shingles vaccine helps prevent shingles, an infection caused by the chickenpox virus.

  • It is offered to people aged 70 to 79 and those over 18 at higher risk of shingles.

  • Zostavax® is a live vaccine, but Shingrix®, an inactivated vaccine, is now mainly used.

  • Most people will receive two doses of the Shingrix® vaccine.

  • Common side-effects include pain or swelling where the injection was given.

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About shingles vaccine

Typ av medicin

Herpes zoster vaccine

Används för

Prevention of shingles (herpes zoster) in people over 50 years of age and people over the age of 18 at higher risk of developing shingles

Även kallad

Zostavax®, Shingrix®

Tillgänglig som

Subcutaneous or intramuscular injection

Bältros is an infection of a nerve and the area of skin supplied by the nerve. It is caused by a virus called the varicella-zoster virus (this is the same virus that causes vattkoppor). Shingles is sometimes called herpes zoster. The symptoms of shingles are a skin rash, blisters and pain. These occur in the areas of skin that the infected nerves supply. The pain may continue even after the rash and skin blisters have healed.

Shingles can occur at any age, but it is most common in people over the age of 50 years. A vaccine against the varicella-zoster virus has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of older people developing shingles. In the UK from September 2013, a shingles vaccine immunisation programme was introduced for people aged 70 years to protect against herpes zoster. There is also a catch-up programme which offers the vaccine to anyone aged between 70 and 79 years who may have previously missed out on immunisation.

Zostavax® is a live vaccine which contains a weakened form of the varicella-zoster virus. Because of this it is not suitable for people with a weakened immune system. An inactivated vaccine called Shingrix®, which does not contain live virus, is now available for people with a weakened immune system.

From 1st September 2023 everyone who is eligible for vaccination under the UK iimmunisation programme will receive two doses of Shingrix® vacccine, once central stocks of Zostavax® have been used up.

Before having shingles vaccine

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before having shingles vaccine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you feel unwell or have a high temperature.

  • If you have been told you have a weakened immune system. This may be a result of an illness or taking other medicines.

  • Om du någonsin har haft en allergisk reaktion mot en medicin.

  • Om du tar några andra läkemedel. Detta inkluderar alla läkemedel du tar som finns att köpa utan recept, samt växtbaserade och komplementära läkemedel.

  • If you could be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.

How shingles vaccine is given

  • Before you are given this treatment, ask to read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. The leaflet will give you more information about the vaccine and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from having it.

  • You will be given two doses of Shingrix® vaccine by your doctor or nurse. They will be given between eight weeks and 12 months apart, depending on your immune status. The vaccine is injected just underneath your skin or into a muscle, usually in your upper arm.

  • If Zostavax® is used to vaccinate against shingles, only one dose is needed.

Can shingles vaccine cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

Very common Zostavax® side-effects (these affect more than 1 in 10 people)

Vad kan jag göra om jag upplever detta?

Pain, redness, swelling, or itching at the site of the injection

Detta bör snart gå över

Common Zostavax® side-effects (these affect fewer than 1 in 10 people)

Headache, joint pain or muscle pain

Drink plenty of water. If troublesome, take a dose of a suitable painkiller

High temperature (fever), skin rash

Drink plenty of water and ask a pharmacist to recommend suitable remedies. Talk to your doctor if you develop a blistering rash

Very common Shingrix® side-effects (these affect more than 1 in 10 people)

Vad kan jag göra om jag upplever detta?

Pain, redness, swelling, or itching at the site of the injection

Detta bör snart gå över

Feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), diarrhoea, tummy (abdominal) pain

Stick to simple meals - avoid spicy foods. Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids

Headache, a high temperature (fever), chills, tiredness, muscle pain

Drink plenty of water. If troublesome, take a dose of a suitable painkiller

Viktigt: Zostavax® is a live vaccine, which means that a small amount of live virus could be present in your body and be passed on to other people. This is especially true if you develop a blistering rash within four to six weeks of having the vaccine. Try to keep away from pregnant women and people who you know are at risk from infection, especially if you develop blisters.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this vaccine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store shingles vaccine

  • It is unlikely that you will be asked to store the vaccine before it is given to you. If, however, this does happen, keep it refrigerated until it is needed.

  • Förvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.

  • Förvara på en sval, torr plats, borta från direkt värme och ljus.

Viktig information om alla läkemedel

Viktig information om alla läkemedel

Om du ska genomgå en operation eller någon tandbehandling, informera den som utför behandlingen om vilka mediciner du tar.

If you have any questions about this medicine ask your doctor or nurse.

Rapportera biverkningar av ett läkemedel eller vaccin

Om du upplever biverkningar kan du rapportera dem online via Yellow Card webbplats.

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Vanliga frågor

What is the difference between Zostavax® and Shingrix®?

Zostavax® is a live vaccine containing a weakened form of the varicella-zoster virus, making it unsuitable for people with a weakened immune system. Shingrix® is an inactivated vaccine that does not contain a live virus, which makes it an option for individuals with a weakened immune system. As of September 1, 2023, Shingrix® is the vaccine being offered to eligible individuals in the UK once Zostavax® stocks are used up.

How many doses of the shingles vaccine will I receive?

If you receive the Shingrix® vaccine, you will be given two doses. These doses will be administered between eight weeks and 12 months apart, with the exact timing depending on your immune status. If Zostavax® is used, only one dose is needed.

Are there any specific situations where I should be cautious after receiving the Zostavax® vaccine?

Yes, if you receive Zostavax®, which is a live vaccine, there's a small chance you could pass on the virus to others, especially if you develop a blistering rash within four to six weeks. It's advisable to try and keep away from pregnant women and individuals at risk of infection during this period.

Should I tell my dentist or surgeon that I've had the shingles vaccine?

Yes, it's important to inform any healthcare professional, such as a dentist or surgeon, about all medicines you are taking, which includes recent vaccinations like the shingles vaccine, if you are having an operation or dental treatment.

When should I contact a doctor or pharmacist about side effects from the vaccine?

You should speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any side effects from the vaccine continue or become troublesome. Specifically, if you develop a blistering rash after having a high temperature, you should talk to your doctor.

Dessa frågor och svar har genererats från informationen i denna artikel.

Vidare läsning och referenser

Om författarenVisa fullständig biografi

Författarbild

Helen Allen, MPharm

Apotekare, Medicinsk Författare

MPharm

Helen Allen kvalificerade sig som apotekare 1979 och tillbringade 3 år som författare av läkemedelsinformationsbroschyrer för EMIS.

Om recensenten

Författarbild

Sid Dajani

Sultan Dajani tog examen vid London School of Pharmacy 1994 och blev den yngsta valda medlemmen i Royal Pharmaceutical Society-rådet sedan dess grundande 1842.

Artikelhistorik

Informationen på denna sida är skriven och granskad av kvalificerade kliniker.

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