Shingles: Should I Get a Shot to Prevent Shingles?

Shingles is an infection that occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox starts up again in your body. Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles, but it is most common in older adults.

Shingles usually causes a rash that can be very painful. The rash is usually on your back or chest and lasts from 2 to 4 weeks. For some people, the severe pain continues long after the rash clears up.

Shingles can be very hard on older people. The pain can affect their quality of life. For some, the pain lasts for a year or longer.

Only people who have had chickenpox can get shingles. But most people have had chickenpox, so shingles is fairly common.

Experts say that out of 100 people, about 30 will get shingles sometime in their lives.¹ And the risk is higher for people age 50 and older. Older people are also more likely to have severe pain with shingles.

Most people who get shingles will not get it again. But some people get shingles more than once.

The shot greatly lowers your chances of getting shingles. Research shows that:²

• The shot can lower your chances of getting shingles by about half.
• If you get the shot and still get shingles, you are likely to have much less pain and for a much shorter time.
• The shot works even better for people ages 60 to 69. In that age group, it lowers the chances of getting shingles by about two-thirds.
• Although the shot doesn't prevent shingles quite as well in people age 70 or older, it does make shingles less severe more than half the time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the shingles shot for adults ages 60 and older. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist about getting the vaccine at age 50 to 59 instead. But insurance may not cover it.

Side effects include:

• Redness, swelling, or soreness at the spot where the needle went in.
• A headache.
• A high fever or serious allergic reaction (but this is rare).

Getting the shot has some risks. For example:

• You might get shingles anyway. But it probably won't be as painful or last as long.
• You may need another shot later in life. Doctors don't know how long the shot lasts.

You shouldn't get the shot if:

• You have a weak immune system.
• You are ill with more than a mild cold. This includes having a fever of 101.3 F (38.5 C) or higher.
• You had a life-threatening reaction to neomycin or you are allergic to gelatin. Neomycin and gelatin are ingredients in the shingles vaccine. Neomycin is an antibiotic that is used in first-aid ointments such as Neosporin, in some eye drops, and in certain underarm deodorants.
• You are pregnant or you might be pregnant.

Some people worry about the preservatives used in some vaccines. The shingles vaccine does not contain any preservatives.

• You are age 60 or older.
• You have had shingles before.
• You have a chronic condition, such as chronic kidney failure, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or COPD.
• You live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility.
• The shot can lower your chances of getting shingles by about half.²
• If you get the shot and still get shingles, you are likely to have less pain for a shorter time.²