VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT
Many vaccine information statements are
available in Spanish and other languages.
See www.immunize.org/vis
Hojas de información sobre vacunas están
disponibles en español y en muchos otros
idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis
U.S. Department of
Health and Human Service
s
Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
Recombinant Zoster (Shingles)
Vaccine: What You Need to Know
1. Why get vaccinated?
Recombinant zoster (shingles) vaccine can
prevent shingles.
Shingles (also called herpes zoster, or just zoster)
is a painful skin rash, usually with blisters. In addition
to the rash, shingles can cause fever, headache,
chills, or upset stomach. Rarely, shingles can lead to
complications such as pneumonia, hearing problems,
blindness, brain inammation (encephalitis), or death.
e risk of shingles increases with age. e most
common complication of shingles is long-term nerve
pain called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN occurs
in the areas where the shingles rash was and can last for
months or years aer the rash goes away. e pain from
PHN can be severe and debilitating.
e risk of PHN increases with age. An older adult with
shingles is more likely to develop PHN and have longer
lasting and more severe pain than a younger person.
People with weakened immune systems also have a
higher risk of getting shingles and complications from
the disease.
Shingles is caused by varicella-zoster virus, the
same virus that causes chickenpox. Aer you have
chickenpox, the virus stays in your body and can
cause shingles later in life. Shingles cannot be passed
from one person to another, but the virus that causes
shingles can spread and cause chickenpox in someone
who has never had chickenpox or has never received
chickenpox vaccine.
2. Recombinant shingles vaccine
Recombinant shingles vaccine provides strong
protection against shingles. By preventing shingles,
recombinant shingles vaccine also protects against PHN
and other complications.
Recombinant shingles vaccine is recommended for:
Adults 50 years and older
Adults 19 years and older who have a weakened
immune system because of disease or treatments
Shingles vaccine is given as a two-dose series. For most
people, the second dose should be given 2 to 6 months
aer the rst dose. Some people who have or will have
a weakened immune system can get the second dose
1 to 2 months aer the rst dose. Ask your health care
provider for guidance.
People who have had shingles in the past and people
who have received varicella (chickenpox) vaccine are
recommended to get recombinant shingles vaccine.
e vaccine is also recommended for people who have
already gotten another type of shingles vaccine, the live
shingles vaccine. ere is no live virus in recombinant
shingles vaccine.
Shingles vaccine may be given at the same time as
other vaccines.
OFFICE
USE
ONLY2/04/2022
Vaccine Information Statement
Recombinant Zoster Vaccine
3. Talk with your health
care provider
Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting
the vaccine:
Has had an allergic reaction aer a previous dose
of recombinant shingles vaccine, or has any severe,
life-threatening allergies
Is currently experiencing an episode of shingles
Is pregnant
In some cases, your health care provider may decide to
postpone shingles vaccination until a future visit.
People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be
vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill
should usually wait until they recover before getting
recombinant shingles vaccine.
Your health care provider can give you more
information.
4. Risks of a vaccine reaction
A sore arm with mild or moderate pain is very
common aer recombinant shingles vaccine.
Redness and swelling can also happen at the site of the
injection.
Tiredness, muscle pain, headache, shivering,
fever, stomach pain, and nausea are common aer
recombinant shingles vaccine.
ese side eects may temporarily prevent a vaccinated
person from doing regular activities. Symptoms usually
go away on their own in 2 to 3 days. You should still get
the second dose of recombinant shingles vaccine even if
you had one of these reactions aer the rst dose.
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a serious nervous
system disorder, has been reported very rarely aer
recombinant zoster vaccine.
People sometimes faint aer medical procedures,
including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel
dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance
of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other
serious injury, or death.
5. What if there is a serious
problem?
An allergic reaction could occur aer the vaccinated
person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a severe
allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face and throat,
diculty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or
weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person to the
nearest hospital.
For other signs that concern you, call your health
care provider.
Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine
Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your health
care provider will usually le this report, or you can do
it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at www.vaers.hhs.
gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS is only for reporting
reactions, and VAERS sta members do not give medical
advice.
6. How can I learn more?
Ask your health care provider.
Call your local or state health department.
Visit the website of the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for vaccine package inserts
and additional information at www.fda.gov/vaccines-
blood-biologics/vaccines.
Contact the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC):
- Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or
- Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.
