How Long Does the Shingles Vaccine Last?

Just like with any other medication or vaccine, there is always a risk of potential side effects or allergic reactions. The shingles vaccine, however, is considered to be safe and poses a small risk of side effects.

• The Zostavax shingles vaccine may cause:
  • Redness, soreness, swelling, or itching at the site of the injection, or
  • Headache.
• The Shingrix shingles vaccine may cause:
  • Soreness, mild or moderate pain, or redness and swelling in the injected arm,
  • Fatigue,
  • Muscle pain,
  • Headache,
  • Shivering,
  • Fever,
  • Stomach pain, or
  • Nausea.

Shingles is a painful belt-like patterned rash caused by varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox). Shingles is more common in adults over 50 years of age and in people with conditions that weaken the immune system.

The varicella-zoster virus is a type of herpesvirus. Other herpesviruses include the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes.

Early symptoms of shingles include: 

• Abnormal sensations such as tingling, itching, or burning on part of the skin on one side of the body
• Headache
• Fever
• Feeling unwell (malaise)

After one to two days, symptoms of shingles include: 

• A rash of blisters in a band-like pattern on one side of the body 
  • Commonly occurs on the trunk (chest, abdomen, and back) but can develop on almost any part of the body
  • After three to four days, blisters become open sores (ulcers)
  • After 7 to 10 days, the sores crust over and are no longer contagious (in people with healthy immune systems)
  • A rash near the eye that can permanently affect vision if not treated
• Pain
  • Often starts days before the rash develops
  • May range from mild to severe
  • May have a stabbing, sharp, or burning feeling
  • Only affects the parts of the skin where the rash occurs, but it can be severe and interfere with daily activities and sleep
  • Is often worse in older adults than in younger people
• Skin color changes and scarring may occur after shingles has gone away.

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Once a person has had chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus remains dormant in the body and may be reactivated later in life, causing shingles. 

Shingles itself is not transmitted from person-to-person, however, a person who never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine can get chickenpox from a person who has shingles.

Shingles can usually be diagnosed with a physical examination and patient history. 

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test may be used to confirm a diagnosis.

Treatment of shingles usually involves a combination of antiviral and pain medications. 

• Antiviral medications
• Pain medications
• Antibiotics, if the rash becomes infected
• Home remedies to help relieve itching
• Wet compresses
• Calamine lotion
• Colloidal oatmeal baths

The primary way to prevent shingles is vaccination. There are two shingles vaccines available for adults 50 years and older to reduce the chance of developing shingles.