Is the shingles vaccine safe, and what the reported reactions are

Is the shingles vaccine safe? In short, yes. Both vaccines approved in the United States—Zostavax® (live attenuated) and Shingrix® (recombinant)—have been rigorously tested for safety and efficacy. Serious side effects are rare, and most people tolerate the shots well. Below, you’ll find what to expect, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and large clinical trials.

Why Get Vaccinated Against Shingles?
Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus. It can lead to a painful rash and, in some people, long-term nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia). The CDC recommends shingles vaccination for adults aged 50 and older—even if you’ve had shingles before or aren’t sure you had chickenpox.

How Safe Is the Shingles Vaccine?
Multiple large studies involving tens of thousands of participants have shown both vaccines to be safe:

• FDA Approval & Monitoring
– Both Zostavax® and Shingrix® underwent rigorous Phase III clinical trials.
– The FDA continues to review safety data reported through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and other monitoring systems.

• CDC Recommendations
– The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends Shingrix® over Zostavax® because it provides stronger, longer-lasting protection and has a well-characterized safety profile.
– ACIP also monitors reports of adverse events and publishes updates when needed.

• Real-World Evidence
– Post-licensure surveillance captures data from millions of doses given each year.
– Serious reactions remain rare, and most reported side effects are mild to moderate.

Common (Mild to Moderate) Reactions
It’s normal to have some local or systemic reactions. They typically start within a day or two of vaccination and resolve in 2–3 days.

Local Reactions (at the Injection Site)
• Pain or tenderness
• Redness
• Swelling

Systemic Reactions
• Fatigue
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Fever (low-grade)
• Chills
• Gastrointestinal upset (nausea, diarrhea)

How Often Do These Occur?
In Shingrix® trials (over 17,000 adults):
• 78% reported pain at the injection site
• 69% reported muscle pain
• 43% reported fatigue
• 35% reported headache
• Most were mild or moderate, lasting 1–3 days

In Zostavax® trials (over 38,000 adults):
• 48% reported injection-site redness or pain
• 16% reported headache
• Systemic symptoms were less common than with Shingrix®

Serious Adverse Events
Serious events (requiring hospitalization or causing disability) are very rare:
• Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) occurs in fewer than 1 per 100,000 doses.
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (a rare nerve disorder) has not been shown to occur more often in vaccine recipients than in the general population.
• Blood clotting or stroke reports have not exceeded expected background rates.

VAERS Data
VAERS is a passive reporting system. A report to VAERS does not prove the vaccine caused the event. Since VAERS opened, millions of shingles vaccine doses have been administered, with serious reports remaining at background levels for the age group vaccinated.

Who Should Not Get the Shingles Vaccine?
• Allergy: History of severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine.
• Immunocompromised: Zostavax® should not be given to people with severely weakened immune systems. Shingrix® may be given to many immunocompromised adults but talk to your doctor.
• Pregnancy: Shingrix® and Zostavax® are not recommended during pregnancy. If you discover you’re pregnant soon after vaccination, no specific intervention is needed, but inform your obstetric provider.

Special Populations
• Older Adults (70+): Shingrix® efficacy remains above 70% even in those over 70.
• Chronic Conditions: Studies show similar safety in people with diabetes, heart disease or chronic lung disease.
• Autoimmune Disease: If you’re on immunosuppressive therapy, discuss timing with your doctor.

Balancing Benefits and Risks
• Benefit: Shingrix® reduces your risk of shingles by about 90% and of postherpetic neuralgia by 89%.
• Risk: Most people experience only mild, short-lived side effects. Serious reactions are extremely uncommon.

What to Do If You Have Concerns or Symptoms
• If you experience severe symptoms—high fever, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat—seek medical attention immediately.
• For new or concerning symptoms that are not life-threatening, consider a free, online symptom check, using the doctor approved Ubie Symptom Checker.
• Always speak to a doctor about anything that could be life threatening or serious.

Preparing for Your Shot
• Tell your provider about any allergies, ongoing medical conditions or medications.
• Plan for possible mild discomfort: ice pack for soreness, over-the-counter pain relievers if approved by your doctor.
• Schedule the second Shingrix® dose 2–6 months after the first for optimal protection.

Key Takeaways
• Is the shingles vaccine safe? Yes. Both Zostavax® and Shingrix® have strong safety records, with most people experiencing only brief, mild side effects.
• Serious adverse events occur at rates similar to those seen in unvaccinated populations of the same age.
• Shingrix® is the preferred vaccine for adults 50 and older due to higher and longer-lasting protection.
• If you have any doubts or experience unusual symptoms, use the Ubie Symptom Checker or speak to your doctor right away.

Speak to Your Doctor
Vaccination decisions should be based on individual health history and risk factors. If you have questions about shingles or the vaccine, speak to your doctor for personalized advice.