So let's Verify: Should you avoid getting other vaccines right before or after getting your COVID shot? I have a weak immune system, is it safe for me to get . However, current evidence cannot attribute a definitive link between the two, and the CDC still recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all people aged 5 and older. Shingles is also called herpes zoster. You may have read that some people develop shingles after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. But COVID-19 and shingles may be related. (2022). These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. Even if there is an association, it is a rare side effect, and the benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential risks. privacy practices. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. Rheumatology. You can get your shingles and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. Shingles can be triggered by stress, illness, and a weakened immune system. In a 2021 research review, experts examined reports of people getting shingles after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC previously recommended people wait 14 days after the COVID-19 vaccine before getting other vaccines. Shingles is a reactivation of VZV, the virus that causes chickenpox. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. However, research suggests it may occur when something weakens the immune system, prompting the virus to reactivate. As such, its essential to receive both COVID-19 and flu vaccines. You may wonder how much time needs to pass between getting your shingles and COVID-19 vaccines. Shingles vaccine: Can I transmit the vaccine virus to others? They note that following vaccination, some people may experience lymphocytopenia or lower levels of white blood cells. Accessed Sept. 9, 2021. One of the most common side effects of the shingles vaccine is an injection site reaction. After the vaccine, a person's immunity stays strong for at least 7 years. Can Vitamin D Lower Your Risk of COVID-19? Once you become eligible for the shingles vaccination, a GP or practice nurse will offer you the vaccine when you attend the surgery for general reasons. GoodRx provides no warranty for any information. You can also develop shingles after having COVID-19. Chickenpox can be serious in adults. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, https://ecevr.org/pdf/10.7774/cevr.2021.10.2.198, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC8597588/, https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/60/SI/SI90/6225015, https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/9/6/572/htm, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC8071473/, https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/shingles/, https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Shingles-Hope-Through-Research, https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/shingles-self-care, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC8379763/. Published: Dec 14, 2020. More serious side effects, like an allergic reaction, are rare. In both cases, the individuals previously had chickenpox, which also results from VZV, but not shingles. In the United States, currently available vaccines include the following: Shingles results from the reactivation of VZV. Its safe to receive your COVID-19 and flu vaccine at the same time. Can a COVID-19 Vaccine Increase Your Risk of Shingles? COVID-19 Vaccine and ShinglesHerpes ZosterInfection Risks - Health By providing your email address, you agree to receive emails containing coupons, refill reminders and promotional messages from GoodRx. Irish Journal of Medical Science. The CDC agrees -- right now its at least a two-week waiting period on both ends. **In pre-licensure clinical studies involving 4,886 participants aged 50 and older who received Shingrix, the following side effects were reported after vaccination: myalgia (44.7%), fatigue (44.5%), headache (37.7%), shivering (26.8%), fever (20.5%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (17.3%) See the FDA prescribing informationexternal icon for additional information. The most common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine include: Side effects felt throughout your body are typically more common after receiving the second and booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Triantafyllidis, K. K., et al. You dont have to wait between getting the COVID-19 vaccine and others, such as the shingles or flu vaccines. 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. You may have heard you can pass the virus to others if you get the Zostavax shingles vaccine. Prof Booy said severity increases with age and suggested anyone over 50 consider the shingles jab when enquiring about flu, COVID or pneumococcal vaccines heading into winter. It's important to recognize flu symptoms early so you can start taking care of yourself. Your Fall Vaccination Guide: Flu, Pneumonia, and Shingles Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. COVID-19 illness weakens the immune system, and that can give the zoster virus a chance to wake up and cause shingles. (2021). The shingles vaccine protects you from shingles and can also prevent postherpetic neuralgia, a common complication of shingles that can cause long-term pain. These can include cool oatmeal baths, using calamine lotion, and trying to avoid stress. , and Should you avoid getting other vaccines right before or after getting your COVID shot? VZV reactivation links with other vaccines. (2022). This is because its a live vaccine, meaning it uses a weakened form of VZV. Scientists cant say for sure that having COVID-19 increases everyones risk of developing shingles. Compared to 2019, shingles vaccinations dropped by 89 percent early in the pandemic, although rates began climbing again later in 2020. And if you have shingles, you may be able to get your COVID-19 vaccine once youre feeling better. Herpes simplex and herpes zoster viruses in COVID-19 patients. The CDC recommends the shingles vaccine for everyone over 50 years old. Hong K, et al. FILE - A pharmacist fills a dead volume syringe with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine at a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination site at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, in the Bronx borough of New York. Shingrix does not cause respiratory symptoms common in COVID-19, such as cough or shortness of breath. You would need to discuss with the clinic whether the vaccine is suitable for you. A sore arm and flu-like symptoms are common. Even after people completely recover from chickenpox, the varicella virus can stay asleep (dormant) in the body by hiding in the spinal cord without causing any symptoms. A Study on the Immune Response and Safety of the Shingles Vaccine and the Influenza Vaccine When Either is Given to Healthy Adults at the Same Time or Following a COVID-19 Booster Vaccine The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Some studies suggest a link between COVID-19 vaccines and reactivation of the virus that causes shingles. However, if you have a moderate to severe illness or a fever of 101.3 or higher, you should recover before getting your shingles vaccine. (2022). The people in the second group had no known history of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. The virus that causes shingles is called varicella-zoster virus. It does not guarantee you will not get shingles, but it will reduce your chances. Herpes zoster vaccine may get another look in patients being treated for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Immunity stays strong for at least the first 7 years after vaccination. Shingles vaccination is availableto everyone aged 70 to 79. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, more research is still necessary to investigate the association. We avoid using tertiary references. A: To learn more about COVID-19 vaccine coadministration with other vaccines, see Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines and COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs for Healthcare Professionals. GoodRx works to make its website accessible to all, including those with disabilities. These vaccines contain harmless material from the virus that the immune system uses to help fight off infection. Herpes zoster following BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases: A case series. Introduction: Although the COVID-19 vaccination is deemed safe, exact incidence and nature if adverse effects, particularly dermatological ones, are still unknown. Talk to your doctor about your vaccination options if you: The cost of the shingles vaccine may not be covered by Medicare, Medicaid or insurance. The COVID-19 vaccine does not cause shingles only the varicella zoster virus causes shingles. No, you cannot get shingles if youve never had chickenpox. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for Use of Herpes Zoster Vaccines. Shingles after COVID vaccine: How long should you wait? Latest - WUSA VERIFY: Should you wait to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you're currently sick? Diez-Domingo J, et al. Shingles is a painful rash that usually develops on one side of the body, often the face or torso. How long after a person received chickenpox vaccine should I wait to give Shingrix? Getting vaccinated against shingles can keep you safe from getting shingles. Share on Facebook. Shingles vaccine: Should I get it? - Mayo Clinic Can You Get the Virus that Causes Shingles from Your Parents Before Birth? Studies suggest protection against shingles with Shingrix may extend beyond five years. Dr. Kathleen Dooling talks about storage, administration, and patient counseling for recombinant zoster vaccine for adults 50 years and older (2018 CDC recommendations for immunocompetent adults). Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Our analysis includes 0.8 million Part D enrollees who were enrolled for the full 2018 calendar year and who received an initial shot of Shingrix between January and June of 2018. Other vaccines and infections link with the onset of shingles. Assortment of Products for Daily Living from Mayo Clinic Store, Mayo Clinic Minute: Why vaccines are especially important for older people, Advertising and sponsorship opportunities, Have ever had an allergic reaction to any component of the shingles vaccine, Have a weakened immune system due to a condition or medication, Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. All rights reserved. Learn how it feels and how to manage it. But try to leave 7 days between the shingles vaccine and a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, so that if you have any side effects you'll know which vaccine they were from.