Shingles Vaccine

About Shingles Vaccine

The shingles vaccine prevents herpes zoster, a painful rash caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. The first vaccine, Zostavax, was licensed in 2006. Zostavax used a live attenuated virus and provided moderate protection. Shingrix, a recombinant subunit vaccine, was licensed in 2017 and replaced Zostavax. In licensing trials Shingrix was over 90 percent effective at preventing shingles and also reduced postherpetic neuralgia, a chronic pain condition. Recommendations on who should receive it are set by national health authorities. Shingles affects approximately 1 in 3 people in their lifetime. The risk increases with age and is particularly high in immunocompromised individuals. Shingrix commonly causes short lived reactions, including fever, muscle aches, and injection site pain, more often than many other vaccines. Its high efficacy has nonetheless supported wide uptake.