Shingles Vaccine: Should You Get It?
You can get the shingles vaccine even if you’ve already had shingles. Also, consider getting the shingles vaccine if you don’t know whether you’ve had chickenpox.
You should not get the shingles vaccine if you:
- Have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine
- Currently have shingles
- Currently are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you have a minor illness, such a cold, you may still get the vaccine, but if you have a more severe illness, you should wait until you recover.
How Well Does This Vaccine Work?
Completing two doses of the shingles vaccine, you are strongly protected against shingles. In adults 50-69 years old, the vaccine was 97% effective in preventing shingles, and among adults 70 years and older it was 91% effective.
What Are the Possible Side Effects?
The vaccine helps your body create a strong defense against shingles. As a result, you are likely to have temporary side effects from getting the shots. The side effects may affect your ability to do normal daily activities for 2 to 3 days.
Most people got a sore arm with mild or moderate pain. You may feel tired, have muscle pain, a headache, shivering, fever, stomach pain, or nausea. Side effects were more common in younger people.
You may experience these side effects after either, or both, doses of the vaccine. If you experience side effects, you may choose to take over-the-counter pain medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
If you have any questions about the shingles vaccine, contact our dermatologists.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our dermatologists to get more information on the shingles vaccine, you can contact Western Maryland Dermatology at (301) 777-7900 or visit us online at wmderma.com/contact where you can chat with one of our reservation specialists.
Source: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html