The COVID-19 vaccine does not cause shingles only the varicella zoster virus causes shingles. RELATED: VERIFY: Should you wait to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you're currently sick? (2021). I know it's the flu season, they might need a tetanus shot, they might need a pneumonia shot. Albrecht MA, et al. Reactivation of herpes zoster virus after COVID-19 vaccination: Is there any association? Now, youll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare providers. People who are older or have a weakened immune system are likely at higher risk of developing shingles during a COVID-19 illness. ", If you get a #COVID19 vaccine, wait at least 14 days before getting any other vaccine, including those for flu or shingles. You can get the shingles and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. Its possible to develop shingles after COVID-19 vaccination and after having COVID-19. However, according to the CDC, shingles in people who have a vaccine against chickenpox is much rarer than it is in people whove had a natural chickenpox infection. Who should have the pneumococcal vaccine? Other viewers asked us the same thing about flu shots. At present, the trigger for reactivation is unknown. (2022). Accessed Sept. 9, 2021. Pfizer, based in New York, and BioNTech, based in Germany, have collaborated on mRNA vaccines for influenza as well as COVID-19. But how exactly are shingles and COVID-19 related? How long should I wait after giving the first dose of Shingrix to give the second dose? Shingles is an uncomfortable common condition that causes a characteristic rash, among other symptoms. (2022). Diez-Domingo J, et al. GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Read more about the shingles vaccine side effects. Other research also highlights the potential role that stress may play. The shingles vaccine works very well to boost your immunity against further shingles attacks in people who have had shingles before. Filling the need for trusted information on national health issues, Juliette Cubanski These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. In many cases, a primary care physician can manage shingles care, but people may require specialist care in some cases. The study found that many of these people had medical conditions that weakened their immune systems. However, an itchy throat is more commonly associated with allergies. This information is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Which babies should have the MenB vaccine? There have been reports of people developing shingles after COVID-19 vaccination. They note that following vaccination, some people may experience lymphocytopenia or lower levels of white blood cells. The COVID-19 virus is no exception. You would need to discuss with the clinic whether the vaccine is suitable for you. AskMayoExpert. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/. VZV is a type of herpesvirus. Research shows that getting shingles after COVID-19 vaccines predominantly links with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, including the ones that Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna produce. This vaccine is called Shingrix. Because of concerns about COVID-19, if a patient develops fever after vaccination, he or she should stay home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. It's given in two doses, with 2-6 months between doses. "Or if you get any other vaccine first, wait at least 14 days before getting your COVID-19 vaccine. Some studies suggest a link between COVID-19 vaccines and reactivation of the virus that. Conversely, 1 in 4 beneficiaries (26%) who received an initial dose of Shingrix between January and June 2018 did not receive the second dose within the recommended timeframe. However, many. The most common side effects of a shingles vaccine are redness, pain, tenderness, swelling and itching at the injection site, and headaches. Can SARS-CoV-2 vaccine increase the risk of reactivation of varicella zoster? Can Probiotics Help Prevent or Treat COVID-19 Infection? Other vaccines and infections link with the onset of shingles. By providing your email address, you agree to receive emails containing coupons, refill reminders and promotional messages from GoodRx. Whats the recommended timing for getting your COVID-19 and shingles vaccines? As such, contact a doctor promptly if you suspect that you have shingles. It does not guarantee you will not get shingles, but it will reduce your chances. If you have certain medical conditions or take certain medications, you may need to wait a bit longer before getting vaccinated. The researchers add that this temporary period of lymphocytopenia may be sufficient to trigger VZV reactivation and result in a shingles flare. People with weakened immune systems may be more likely to get severe COVID-19, according to the CDC. Shingles (herpes zoster). (2022). In both cases, the individuals previously had chickenpox, which also results from VZV, but not shingles. Keep reading as we explore the answer to this question and others. It occurs following the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). What is the time frame for recovery from shingles? These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. While evidence cannot attribute the flares to the vaccine, it may be possible that the immune response to the vaccine might trigger a flare. Older individuals may be more likely to develop shingles after having COVID-19. See a GP if you have side effects that last longer than a few days, or if you develop a rash after having the shingles vaccination. Of those 414 cutaneous reactions, shingles was seen in 1 of 34 receiving first Pfizer vaccine (2.9% of cutaneous reactions) and 4 of 40 . The CDC guidelines state that the COVID-19 vaccine may be given without regard to the timing of other vaccines. Patients can sign up on the Shingrix website to receive a second dose reminder, but doing so requires knowledge and action by patients. Anyone who has had chicken pox can develop shingles. Shingles vaccine side effects may include fatigue, headache, muscle pain and nausea. A weakened immune system, such as from an autoimmune disorder, can put you at a higher risk of developing shingles in general . Those who present more than 6 months after the first. To address this question, we looked at Medicare beneficiaries who received an initial dose of Shingrix in the first half of 2018 to analyze what share received the second dose within the recommended timeframe and which subgroups of beneficiaries were more or less likely to receive both doses. If a vaccine recipient develops emergency warning signs for COVID-19, emergency medical care should be sought immediately. You'll also be less likely to get shingles complications, such as post-herpetic neuralgia. (2021). Theshingles vaccine is availableprivately, but it's expensive. All rights reserved. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which Can I give Shingrix at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine? Shingles commonly develops along your torso, such as your chest and back. You can unsubscribe at any time. As part of a national vaccine education campaign, having systems in place for providers to communicate with patients about returning for a second dose is likely to be important in ensuring full compliance with the new COVID-19 vaccines. While the studies cannot prove causality, they suggest that it could be a plausible but rare AEAV. Learn more here. Triantafyllidis, K. K., et al. (2021). VERIFY: Should you wait to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you're currently sick? You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2021-2022.htm, cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/covid-19-vaccines-us.html, thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)02329-1/fulltext, cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect/after.html, cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html, assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1044481/Technical-Briefing-31-Dec-2021-Omicron_severity_update.pdf, Why You Need to Get Vaccinated Even If Youve Already Had COVID-19, What to Do (and Not to Do) at the First Sign of the Flu. Check your plan. Counseling about potential side effects is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, since some shingles vaccination side effects** may be similar to symptoms of COVID-19. According to the CDC, Shingrix is 90 percent effective at preventing these conditions after 2 doses. Studies suggest protection against shingles with Shingrix may extend beyond five years. Do not restart the vaccine series. Tricia Neuman The CDC guidelines state that the COVID-19 vaccine may be given without regard to the timing of other vaccines. There is currently . Can Vitamin D Lower Your Risk of COVID-19? The shingles vaccine is not available on the NHS to younger people because shingles is more common in the over-70s. Bhavsar A, et al. This is consistent with another 2021 article that suggests that an immune reaction following vaccination may allow VZV to escape from its latent phase and cause a shingles eruption. Do not restart the vaccine series. Due to the potential health risk of COVID-19, scientists were able to develop vaccines to help protect people against COVID-19 by providing immunity to SARS-CoV-2. "The act of being . A different 2021 research review noted that most cases of shingles happen 1 to 2 weeks after having COVID-19 and have a typical presentation. Washington Offices and Barbara Jordan Conference Center: 1330 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 | Phone 202-347-5270, www.kff.org | Email Alerts: kff.org/email | facebook.com/KaiserFamilyFoundation | twitter.com/kff. Its possible that it could happen due to immune system changes that happen after getting a vaccine. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. With both vaccines it's quite common to get redness and discomfort at the vaccination site, headaches and fatigue, but these side effects should not last more than a few days. Like the shingles vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine side effects typically last only a couple of days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of Shingrix for many adults ages 50 and older, as well as people with weakened immune systems that are ages 19 and older. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. If you didnt wait before or after getting your COVID shot, they say you dont need to be revaccinated. A new study has assessed the safety and effectiveness of seven different COVID-19 vaccine boosters, and its findings are encouraging. If you have a weakened immune system or are taking immunosuppressive medication, you may be at increased risk for developing shingles after your COVID-19 vaccine. Example video title will go here for this video. Experts share that getting the shingles vaccine when its available to you can reduce your risk of getting shingles. However, more research is still necessary to investigate the association. Because people 65 and older areexpected to be one of the earlier groups to receive COVID-19 vaccination, this analysis offers insight into what the experience might be among older adults in receiving the full regimen of multidose COVID-19 vaccines. Xie Y, et al. Shingles is a viral infection that results from the reactivation of VZV, the same virus that causes chickenpox. The researchers also noted that their study didnt consider whether individuals included in their group had potential risk factors for shingles. You can have a shingles vaccine at the same time as most other vaccines. These drugs can help make a case of shingles shorter and less severe, and they can prevent complications from shingles like postherpetic neuralgia. Next review due: 31 August 2024, Booking your child's vaccination appointment. This is a viral family that also includes the herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, which cause oral and genital herpes, respectively. 2018; doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6703a5external icon. Whats the connection between COVID-19 vaccines and the risk of shingles? Shingles is an uncomfortable common condition that causes a characteristic rash, among other symptoms. information submitted for this request. pic.twitter.com/CPfX5jiDSw. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles vaccination. COVID-19 Vaccine: Key FDA Panel Supports Updated Annual Shots. People can develop shingles after COVID-19 vaccination, but it's rare. Some may experience fatigue, headache, and fever. Best food forward: Are algae the future of sustainable nutrition? Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. If not, go ahead and get it today.'" Some evidence notes that changes to the immune system could be the trigger that reactivates the virus. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. While mild illness is not a contraindication to shingles vaccination, vaccination visits for these individuals should be postponed to avoid exposing healthcare personnel and others to the virus that causes COVID-19. The good news is that the shingles vaccine, called Shingrix, is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles. Shingrix is recommended for adults ages 50 and older to prevent herpes zoster, also known as shingles, a viral infection that causes a painful rash and can lead to long-term pain and other problems.