The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults over the age of 50 get two doses of the Shingrix vaccine, spaced two to six months apart. One dose provides at least 90% protection for up to five years against shingles, a serious skin condition caused by a virus called the varicella-zoster virus.
In clinical trials, the vaccine has been found to be effective for up to eight years or longer. It’s important to note that Shingrix provides protection against the zombie-like symptoms of shingles, not the virus itself, so it’s possible to get shingles even after being vaccinated.
As with any vaccine, your protection with Shingrix may not last forever.
Do I need to get Shingrix every 5 years?
No, getting the Shingrix vaccine every 5 years is not necessary. The Shingrix vaccine provides strong and long-lasting protection from shingles and its associated symptoms. According to the CDC, the Shingrix vaccine is not currently recommended for routine revaccination at any interval.
In fact, the recommendation for Shingrix is a single-dose vaccination series, with a booster given 2 to 6 months after the initial dose. This is consistent with the FDA’s recommendation following the end of clinical trials in 2017.
Furthermore, it has been shown that the Shingrix vaccine provides at least 4 years of protection; additional studies are underway to determine the protection duration beyond 4 years. Because of this, you may not need to get Shingrix every 5 years, depending on how long the protection lasts.
Speak with your healthcare provider to determine the best vaccination strategy for you.
Should I get another shingles vaccine after 5 years?
Whether or not you should get another shingles vaccine after five years depends on the vaccine that you originally received and the age at which you were vaccinated. If you had the Zostavax vaccine five years ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that it is not necessary to get revaccinated.
On the other hand, if you were vaccinated with the newer Shingrix vaccine at age 50 or over, the CDC recommends that you get a second dose of the Shingrix two to six months after the initial dose. Shingrix has been found to have a more protective effect than the Zostavax vaccine, even after the five-year period has passed.
Therefore, the CDC recommends that if you already received the Zostavax, it is okay not to receive another dose. However, if you received the Shingrix, then it is recommended that you receive the second dose if it has been over six months since your initial vaccination.
Does the Shingrix vaccine last a lifetime?
No, the Shingrix vaccine does not last a lifetime. The recommended schedule for the Shingrix vaccine is two doses, given two to six months apart. For most people, a single series of two doses will provide protection for at least five years.
After five years, it is not yet known what type of protection, if any, the vaccine provides. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 65 years and older should get Shingrix even if they have previously been vaccinated with the older shingles vaccine, Zostavax.
How often do you need to get the Shingrix vaccine?
The Shingrix vaccine is a two-dose series. It is recommended that individuals receive a second dose 2-6 months after the first dose was administered. For people aged 50 and older, CDC recommends that both doses be administered regardless of when a person received the first dose of another shingles vaccine (Zostavax).
For people aged 49 and younger, you should wait 8 or more weeks after receiving the first dose of Zostavax to receive Shingrix and the two doses should be given at least 2 months apart. If a person’s first dose of Shingrix is given at least 2 months after Zostavax, no additional doses of Shingrix are needed.
To get the most protection against shingles and related complications, it is important that you complete the full series of Shingrix vaccinations.
How long is the shingles vaccine good for?
The shingles vaccine is generally recommended to receive one-time doses as an adult at a minimum of 60 years old, with an additional booster dose recommended 4-6 years after the initial dose. The shingles vaccine is not believed to be effective forever, and the protection is thought to wane five to seven years after the initial dose or booster dose.
Therefore, it is important to speak to your healthcare provider about receiving the additional booster dose, if applicable, to help to ensure that your protection against shingles does not wane too soon.
Should Shingrix vaccine be repeated?
The Shingrix vaccine should generally not be repeated. The vaccine is designed to provide lasting protection against the shingles virus after a single dose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults aged 50 and over should get two doses spaced two to six months apart.
After two doses, the vaccine is more than 90% effective in preventing shingles, and is recommended regardless of whether you have had shingles in the past. After the second dose, you should be protected for at least five years.
If more than five years has passed since your last dose, you may need to get another dose of Shingrix. However, it is best to consult with your healthcare provider to determine if you need an additional dose.
Is Shingrix good for 10 years?
No, Shingrix is not good for 10 years. Shingrix is a vaccine that is approved by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and is recommended to be given as a two-dose series. It is estimated that the vaccine is effective for 8-10 years post-injection.
However, the length of time that Shingrix provides protection for is not definitively determined, so it is best to check with your healthcare provider for the most up-to-date recommendations. If a booster is needed, it should be done in accordance with their advice.
How many shingles shots do you need in a lifetime?
The number of shingles shots you need in a lifetime depends on several factors, including your age, health, and vaccination history. Generally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults age 50 and older receive the shingles vaccine.
The shingles vaccine is administered in two doses, and it’s recommended that adults receive the vaccine 6 to 12 months apart for the best protection. However, the CDC does not recommend that those who have already received the shingles vaccine receive a booster dose.
Additionally, for adults who have never received the shingles vaccine and are over the age of 60, the CDC recommends that they receive a single dose of the vaccine. It is important to note that the effects of the shingles vaccine last a few years but not necessarily a lifetime.
Therefore, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider to determine whether you need additional shingles vaccinations.
Is there a downside to the shingles vaccine?
Yes, there is a potential downside to the shingles vaccine. Although it is proven to be effective in preventing a shingles outbreak, it does not guarantee 100% protection and could lead to side effects such as fever, tiredness, headache, and redness, swelling and pain at the injection site.
In some cases, particularly among those with weakened immune systems, shingles can still occur even after vaccination. In addition, some people report the vaccine causing severe pain or lasting nerve damage (post-herpetic neuralgia).
It is important to speak to your healthcare provider if you are considering getting the vaccine, so they can discuss any potential risks and benefits with you.
How many years is shingles vaccine effective?
The shingles vaccine is typically effective for about five years. However, recent research suggests that even after the five-year mark, the vaccine can still be effective in preventing the virus from reactivating.
Studies have found that the vaccine can be up to 85. 7% effective in preventing shingles in individuals over the age of 60 even after six years from the initial vaccine. For individuals 50-59 years old, the vaccine can still be 66.
7% effective even after seven years from the initial vaccination. Therefore, while the shingles vaccine is effective for five years, it may still be protective slightly longer depending on the individual’s age.
When should you repeat a shingles shot?
The shingles shot is a vaccine that can help protect you from getting the shingles virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the shingles shot should be given to adults 60 years or older as a one-time dose, even if they have had shingles in the past.
People who have had the vaccine and remain at risk for the virus should consider a second dose of the vaccine 5 years after the first shot. The CDC recommends that those who have not had the shingles vaccine should get the vaccine even if they have had shingles in the past.
Additionally, adults ages 50 and up should also get the shingles vaccine, even if they have been previously vaccinated. Ultimately, the decision to receive a second dose of the vaccine should be discussed with a doctor.
Is shingles caused by stress?
No, shingles is not caused by stress. Shingles is caused by a virus called varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Stress does not cause shingles, but it can be a trigger for people who are prone to developing the condition.
The virus that causes shingles lies inactive in certain nerve cells of the body until it is triggered by something like emotional or physical stress. People who have a weaker immune system, such as those who are elderly or undergoing chemotherapy, may be more susceptible to the virus and thus more likely to develop shingles.
It is important to note, however, that shingles is not contagious and cannot be spread by stress. It can only be spread by coming into contact with the open sores caused by shingles.
Can you get shingles vaccine if you never had chickenpox?
Yes, you can get the shingles vaccine even if you never had chickenpox. The vaccine is recommended for those aged 50 and older to help prevent shingles, a painful and debilitating disease caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Even if you have not experienced chickenpox in the past, you can still get the shingles vaccine as it will help you to avoid the symptoms associated with it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you get the shingles vaccine whether or not you’ve ever had chickenpox, as even if you have been vaccinated for chickenpox, you can be at risk for shingles.
The vaccine helps to prevent the onset of shingles and reduce its severity if you do end up getting it. Getting the shingles vaccine is a great way to keep yourself and those around you safe from this painful and debilitating disease.
What triggers a shingles outbreak?
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After someone has had chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in their body, but it can become active again, triggering a shingles outbreak.
The exact cause of reactivation is unknown, but it is more likely to occur in those who are elderly and whose immune system is weakened due to drugs, stress, or other medical conditions. Also, those vaccinated against chickenpox may have a decreased risk of shingles.
