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Shingles Vaccine

(Herpes Zoster Vaccine)

ByMargot L. Savoy, MD, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Reviewed/Revised Modified Jul 2025
v16233927
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The varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox (varicella) and shingles (herpes zoster). The varicella-zoster virus is a member of the herpesvirus family, so shingles is sometimes called herpes zoster.

After chickenpox resolves, the herpes-zoster virus remains in the body. It can be reactivated years later and cause shingles, which is a painful rash, usually on only one part of the body. The rash resolves after several weeks, but postherpetic neuralgia, which causes severe chronic pain, can last for months or years.

The shingles vaccine is the only way to protect against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia, the most common complication of shingles.

For information about the chickenpox vaccine, see varicella vaccine.

(See also Overview of Immunization.)

Vaccine Type

The shingles vaccine is a recombinant vaccine, which means it contains only noninfective pieces of the virus (such as its protein). This vaccine contains a harmless version of the herpes-zoster virus protein that is manufactured in a laboratory and is recombined with other substances. The body's immune system is then able to recognize and fight the protein if a person becomes infected (see Active immunization).

There is no live virus in this vaccine, so it does not cause shingles.

Dose of and Recommendations for Shingles Vaccine

The shingles vaccine is injected into a muscle.

People who should get this vaccine

The shingles vaccine is a routine adulthood vaccination. Two doses are given 2 to 6 months apart.

This vaccine is recommended for people aged 50 and older whether or not they have ever had shingles or have been given an older, live shingles vaccine that is not available in the United States. This vaccine is also recommended for people aged 19 and older who have or will have a weakened immune system because of a disease or treatment for a disease. (See also CDC: Recommended Immunizations for Adults Aged 19 Years and Older, United States, 2025.)

People who should not get this vaccine

People who have had a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction (such as an anaphylactic reaction) after a previous dose of the vaccine or to an component in the vaccine should not receive it.

People who have a current episode of shingles should not receive this vaccine.

Pregnant or breastfeeding (chestfeeding) people may want to discuss with a health care professional whether the vaccine is right for them.

If people have a temporary illness, doctors usually wait to give the vaccine until the illness resolves (see also CDC: Who Should NOT Get Vaccinated With These Vaccines?).

Side Effects of Shingles Vaccine

The most common side effects of the shingles vaccine are pain, soreness, redness, and swelling at the injection site and headache, tiredness, muscle pain, shivering, fever, and digestive upset.

For more information about side effects, see the package insert. The live zoster vaccine is not available in the United States.

More Information

The following English-language resources may be useful. Please note that The Manual is not responsible for the content of these resources.

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Recombinant zoster vaccine information statement

  2. CDC: Shingles Vaccination

  3. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): Herpes Zoster: Recommended vaccinations

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