Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Vaccine

What is Shingles?

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a skin infection caused by a recurrence of chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster virus). Only people who have had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine can get shingles. Those who have been immunized for chickenpox are four to twelve times less likely to get shingles.

The chickenpox virus ‘sleeps’ in the body and can cause shingles later in life. Shingles increases in severity with age and is most common in individuals over 50 years of age, and those with weakened immune systems.

Shingles occurs when the chickenpox virus reactivates in the nerve cells. You cannot get shingles from someone who has shingles. However, someone who has never had chickenpox can get chickenpox disease if you are exposed to shingles.

The infectious period lasts about seven to ten days, from the onset of the rash until all the scabs have crusted. Unlike chickenpox, shingles is not spread by coughing. The virus is spread through contact with the skin lesions (rash).

Shingles symptoms

Symptoms of shingles include:

• A painful rash that develops on one side of the face or body
  • Often, the rash occurs in a single strip around one side of the body or on one side of the face.
• Pain, itching, or tingling in the area where the rash will develop, anywhere from one to five days before the rash appears
• Nerve pain may last for weeks to months after the rash disappears.

Treatment with antiviral medication helps reduce the severity and duration of symptoms. It is most effective if taken within three days of the appearance of the rash.

Shingles vaccine

Shingles vaccines significantly reduce the incidence of shingles and nerve pain that can last for weeks to months, as well as the duration and severity of infection.

Shingrix® (non-live vaccine), is free through primary health care providers for adults 65-70 years of age who have not previously received a publicly funded shingles vaccine. Shingrix® is recommended even if you have had the live zoster vaccine (Zostavax®), or have had shingles.

You can speak with your primary health care provider about decisions around re-vaccination with Shingrix®. Anyone who is not eligible to get it for free, can purchase the vaccine privately. Some health insurance plans may cover the cost of the vaccine.

The vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of getting shingles by 90%.

Who should get the vaccine?

The shingles vaccine is recommended for individuals 50 years of age and older, and some adults 18 years of age and older who have a very weak immune system.

Who should not get the vaccine?

• Anyone with a high fever or serious infection worse than a cold
• Anyone with an allergy to a component of the vaccine
• Anyone with a reaction to a previous dose of vaccine

Side effects

Reactions are usually mild to moderate and on average do not last longer than 3 days. Many people will have a reaction at the site, which could include pain, swelling or redness where the needle was given. Other side effects such as muscle pain, tiredness, headache, shivering, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea and fever.

In rare cases, people may have symptoms that are severe enough to interfere with normal activities for 2-3 days. This includes about 9% of people who had pain at the injection site, and about 11% of people had muscle pain, tiredness, headache, fever, shivering, and stomach or digestive symptoms such a nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and/or stomach pain. People do not always react the same way to both doses, and it is important to get the second dose even if you had a strong reaction to the first dose.

When should I seek medical attention?

Severe reactions are rare. If you develop hives, swelling of the face and mouth, trouble breathing, serious drowsiness or other serious problems seek medical attention immediately.

Your record of protection

After any immunization, ensure your personal immunization record or yellow card is updated. Keep it in a safe place!

Questions?

Talk to your health care provider or contact Public Health at 519-575-4400.

Visit Ontario's shingles vaccine for more.