Shingles Vaccine (Zostavax) Administration & Side Effects (2024)

What is Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine), and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
What are the side effects of Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?
What is the dosage for Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?
Which drugs or supplements interact with Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?
Is Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine) safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
What else should I know about Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?

What is Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine), and how does it work (mechanism of action)?

Zoster vaccine contains live, attenuated (weakened) varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Varicella-zoster causes chickenpox and then becomes dormant in nerves. VZV reactivates and causes herpes zoster (shingles or zoster) later in life (usually 60 years of age or older) when immunity against VZV declines. Zoster vaccine stimulates the immune system to develop immunity against VZV. The FDA approved zoster vaccine in May 2006.

What brand names are available for Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?

Zostavax

Is Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine) available as a generic drug?

Do I need a prescription for Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?

Yes

What are the side effects of Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?

The most common adverse effects are:

headaches,
injection site swelling,
itching,
swelling,
pain,
warmth,
bleeding, and
bruising.

Some individuals may experience shingles or chickenpox-like rashes within 42 days after receiving zoster vaccine. Transmission of VZV virus from vaccinated individuals to other individuals occurs rarely.

What is the dosage for Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?

Zoster vaccine is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) in the upper arm. The recommended dose is 0.65 ml.

Which drugs or supplements interact with Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?

In clinical studies, concomitant use of zoster vaccine and Pneumovax reduced the activity of zoster vaccine.

QUESTION Shingles is a painful rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. See Answer

Is Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine) safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

Zoster vaccine is not used for preventing shingles in women of child bearing age and should not be administered to pregnant women.

Zoster vaccine is not used for preventing shingles in nursing mothers.

What else should I know about Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?

What preparations of Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine) are available?

Powder for Injection: 0.65 ml

How should I keep Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine) stored?

Powder should be stored frozen at 15 C (5 F) or colder until ready to use. Diluent should be stored at room temperature (20 C - 25 C [68 F - 77 F]) or refrigerated at (2 C - 8 C [36 F - 46 F]).

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Summary

Zoster vaccine live (Zostavax) is an attenuated vaccine given to individuals age 60 or older for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster). Side effects, warnings and precautions, pregnancy information, and complications, should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.

Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes

Picture of Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection on Chest Wall The varicella-zoster virus is responsible for outbreaks of a condition called shingles, mostly in older adults. The virus also is...
Picture of Herpes Zoster Herpes zoster. Shingles is cause by herpes zoster which is a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV). VZV causes chicken...
Picture of Varicella Chicken Pox Chicken pox. Chicken pox is an extremely contagious infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. While these poxes are on the...
Picture of Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection (Face) Shingles. Shingles occur when the varicella-zoster virus which also causes chickenpox erupts after the initial infection,...
Picture of Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection Close-Up The varicella-zoster virus is responsible for both chicken pox and shingles. It creates rash of blisters with a red base that can...
Picture of Shingles An acute infection caused by the herpes zoster virus, the same virus as causes chickenpox. See a picture of Shingles and learn...
Picture of Varicella (Chickenpox) Virus A highly infectious viral disease, known familiarly as chickenpox. See a picture of the Varicella (Chicken Pox) Virus and learn...

Related Disease Conditions

Shingles Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the varicella zoster virus. Other shingles symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and body aches. Treatment focuses on pain management and shortening the duration of the illness with antiviral medications.
Why You Shouldn't Get the Shingles Vaccine Shingles activates when your immunity is low, usually with advancing age. But not everyone who is a candidate for the shingles vaccine should take it.
Chickenpox (Varicella) Chickenpox (chicken pox) is a contagious childhood disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms have an incubation period of 14 to 16 days and include a couple days of mild fever, weakness, and red, raised rash that progresses to blisters that eventually burst and crust over. Complications include bacterial infection of the open sores, scarring, encephalitis, nerve palsies, and Reye's syndrome.
Eye Herpes (Ocular Herpes) Herpes of the eye occurs due to herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). Symptoms of herpes of the eye include pain in and around the eye, rash or sores on the eyelids, redness, swelling, and cloudiness of the cornea.
Is Shingles Contagious? Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Shingles symptoms and signs include skin burning, numbness, and tingling along with a painful red, blistering rash. Shingles is contagious until all of the blisters have crusted over.
What Triggers a Shingles Outbreak? Shingles occur when the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox, reactivates in the body, usually due to a weakened immune system. Learn about the symptoms of shingles and how you can treat them. The difference between chickenpox and shingles is that the first time you get infected with the varicella virus, you get chickenpox. Shingles is a condition you can develop if you've already had chickenpox. Learn about the differences between chickenpox and shingles and how these two diseases are connected.
Who Cannot Get Shingrix Vaccine? You cannot get Shingrix if you currently have an infection, had the chickenpox vaccine, are pregnant, or allergic to Shingrix vaccine.
Postherpetic Neuralgia Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a painful complication of shingles. Symptoms include severe pain, itchy skin, and possible weakness or paralysis of the area.There is no treatment for postherpetic neuralgia that is effective for all patients.
What Happens When You Get Shingles When Pregnant? Becoming infected with chickenpox during pregnancy could cause birth defects in your unborn child. Likewise, shingles could also cause problems for your unborn child. If you are pregnant and haven't had chickenpox, avoid exposure to infected people. Zostavax, the shingles vaccine, can reduce the incidence of shingles by half. Women should wait at least three months after receiving the vaccine before trying to get pregnant.