What are the chances of getting shingles after vaccine

What are the chances of getting shingles after vaccine
Myth: The biggest problem about shingles is dealing with the rash.

Fact: Though rash is one of the defining characteristics of shingles, pain is actually a very common and troubling symptom of shingles.

The pain associated with shingles can be severe. It may begin two to four days before the rash appears and it can last long after–sometimes up to a year or more. The pain that lasts after the rash has healed is called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), that has been described as burning, stabbing, throbbing, and/or shooting pain. Other symptoms include long-term nerve pain, fever, headache, chills, upset stomach, muscle weakness, skin infection, scarring, and decrease or loss of vision or hearing.

Myth: Shingles is very rare.

Fact: In the US, about one million individuals get shingles every year and half of the population who lives to 85 years of age will experience shingles during their lifetime. You have a greater chance of getting shingles as you get older; so, as the population ages, it is likely that more people who do not get vaccinated will get shingles every year.

Myth: There is nothing I can do to avoid getting shingles.

Fact: There are safe, effective vaccines available to help prevent shingles. Vaccination is the best way to reduce your chance of developing shingles. If you do get shingles, the vaccine can reduce your chances of long-lasting pain.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that healthy adults age 50 years and older get two doses of the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) to protect against shingles and the complications caused by the disease. Adults age 60 years or older can receive either RZV or zoster vaccine live (ZVL), although RZV is preferred. The pain associated with shingles can be very severe and may last weeks, months, or even years after it begins, so don’t let a preventable disease like shingles interfere with your quality of life. Shingles vaccine is available in pharmacies and doctor’s offices. Talk with your healthcare professional if you have questions about shingles vaccination.

Myth: Shingles is the same disease as the chickenpox.

Fact: Although shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus, they are not the same illness. Chickenpox is usually a milder illness that affects children. Shingles results from a re-activation of the virus long after the chickenpox illness has disappeared. While it typically resolves in about a month for most people, it can also cause severe and long-lasting pain that is very difficult to treat.

Myth: Shingles only affects older people.

Fact: Shingles typically affects older people, but it can also occur in healthy younger persons and even in children. Those whose immune systems have been weakened by HIV infection, AIDS, cancer, or treatment with certain drugs are also at increased risk of getting shingles.

Shingles is a reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV), the virus that causes chickenpox. It can lead to a painful, blistering skin rash. Shingles is also called herpes zoster.

You may have read that some people develop shingles after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. While this is possible, it’s still uncommon.

This article covers the connection between the COVID-19 vaccine and shingles, other common causes of shingles, and how doctors treat shingles. Keep reading to learn more.

Published reports show that people can develop shingles days or weeks after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

In a 2021 research review, experts examined reports of people getting shingles after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. They found that many people who got shingles after their vaccine had existing factors that can increase the likelihood of developing shingles. These factors include older adulthood, immunological disorders, and cancer.

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.

Experts don’t yet know why the COVID-19 vaccines may increase the risk of shingles. It’s possible that it could happen due to immune system changes that happen after getting a vaccine.

The research into this topic can be conflicting as well. Let’s take a look at two different studies.

Increased risk of shingles after COVID-19 vaccination

A 2022 study compared people who visited a clinic to receive an mRNA vaccine with an unvaccinated group of people who visited a health clinic for any other reason.

The researchers found that 0.2% and 0.11% of the vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, respectively, developed shingles in the 60 days after their clinic visits.

While the researchers noted an increased frequency of shingles after the mRNA vaccines, they noted that this finding isn’t exclusive to COVID-19 vaccines. Experts observe this with vaccines for other diseases.

The researchers also noted that their study didn’t consider whether individuals included in their group had potential risk factors for shingles.

No increased risk of shingles after COVID-19 vaccination

While the study above noted that there may be an increased risk of getting shingles after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, a 2021 study had conflicting findings.

This study compared shingles onset within a 28-day period after either receiving an mRNA vaccine or getting a diagnosis for another skin condition. The people in the second group had no known history of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

The researchers matched these two groups of individuals 1-to-1 based on factors like age, sex, race or ethnicity, and health history. After this matching, they observed no increased risk of shingles between the two groups.

You can also develop shingles after having COVID-19. 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.

Older individuals may be more likely to develop shingles after having COVID-19. In a another 2022 study, researchers examined shingles in people who had experienced COVID-19 and people who had not. All people in the study were ages 50 and older.

Compared with people who hadn’t had COVID-19, those that had experienced it had a 15% higher chance of shingles. This chance increased to 21% for individuals who experienced hospitalization for COVID-19.

Similar to getting shingles after a COVID-19 vaccine, the reason why COVID-19 can lead to shingles is unclear. It may happen due to immune dysfunction that occurs from COVID-19.

VZV is a type of herpesvirus. This is a viral family that also includes the herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, which cause oral and genital herpes, respectively. Like these viruses, VZV can lie dormant in your nerves after an initial infection.

In some cases, VZV can reactivate. When this happens, it moves down the nerves until it reaches the skin, leading to the characteristic shingles rash.

Risk factors for shingles

Generally, almost anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles. While experts do not know yet what causes VZV to reactivate, experts believe that the reactivation happens due to factors that can lower immunity, such as:

  • older adulthood
  • intense physical or emotional stress
  • a weakened immune system, which can happen because of:
    • immunosuppressive medications
    • cancer and its treatment
    • organ or bone marrow transplants
    • HIV
    • inheritable immunodeficiency disorders

Doctors can treat shingles with antiviral drugs. These drugs can help make a case of shingles shorter and less severe, and they can prevent complications from shingles like postherpetic neuralgia.

Some types of antiviral drugs that doctors commonly use to treat shingles include:

  • acyclovir (Sitavig, Zovirax)
  • famciclovir (Famvir)
  • valacyclovir (Valtrex)

Antiviral drugs can be most effective when you begin taking them shortly after the symptoms of shingles develop. As such, contact a doctor promptly if you suspect that you have shingles.

You can also try the following at home that may help you recover:

  • Place a cool compress over the rash to ease itching and pain.
  • Avoid scratching or picking at the rash, as this can increase the risk of a bacterial infection.
  • Practice healthy lifestyle habits, such as resting up and eating a balanced diet.

You can help prevent shingles by receiving the shingles vaccine. This vaccine is called Shingrix.

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.

Because shingles may be brought on by intense stress, you can also explore ways to reduce stress in your daily life. A few examples of things to look into include:

  • spending quality time with your family and friends
  • doing yoga
  • trying out meditation or mindfulness
  • practicing breathing techniques
  • engaging in a hobby that brings you joy
  • going for a walk outside
  • listening to calming music

While all the things above can help lower stress levels, they may not absolutely prevent you from getting shingles. Experts recommend that the most effective way to reduce your risk of shingles can be to get the shingles vaccine when you’re eligible for it.

Should you get a COVID-19 vaccine if you have an autoimmune disease?

Some experts recommend that it can be a good idea for people with autoimmune diseases to get the COVID-19 vaccine. This is because people who have autoimmune diseases may have weakened immune systems due to taking immunosuppressant medications to treat their conditions.

People with weakened immune systems may be more likely to get severe COVID-19, according to the CDC. Experts say that the vaccine may be effective against the illness severity. Speak with your doctor to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine to see if it’s right for you.

Can a COVID-19 vaccine cause an autoimmune flare-up?

A COVID-19 vaccine might cause an autoimmune flare-up. A 2022 research review noted that current evidence generally doesn’t support an increased risk of a flare-up following the COVID-19 vaccination.

However, it also pointed out that flare-ups are still possible after vaccination, particularly in people with higher disease activity. The writers went on to say that these flare-ups are often mild and don’t require more intensive treatment.

Field experts share that since people with autoimmune diseases can have higher chances of getting COVID-19, the benefits of getting a vaccine may outweigh the potential risk of a flare-up.

Can other vaccines increase your risk of shingles?

Other vaccines may increase your risk of shingles. VZV reactivation links with other vaccines. A 2021 research review noted that these include vaccines for:

  • the flu
  • hepatitis A
  • rabies
  • yellow fever

Can I get shingles if I received the chickenpox vaccine?

Yes, you can get shingles if you received the chickenpox vaccine. This is because it’s a live vaccine, meaning it uses a weakened form of VZV.

However, according to the CDC, shingles in people who have a vaccine against chickenpox is much rarer than it is in people who’ve had a natural chickenpox infection.

Can I get shingles if I’ve never had chickenpox?

No, you cannot get shingles if you’ve never had chickenpox. Shingles is a reactivation of VZV, the virus that causes chickenpox. To get shingles, you must have had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.

Chickenpox can be serious in adults. If you haven’t had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, experts suggest that getting a vaccine against chickenpox can help prevent the chickenpox infection.

Shingles is a reactivation of VZV that can cause a painful rash. It’s possible to develop shingles after COVID-19 vaccination and after having COVID-19.

This observation isn’t specific to COVID-19. Other vaccines and infections link with the onset of shingles. Experts do not know the reasons for this yet, but they’re likely related to immune system changes or dysfunction

You can treat shingles with a combination of antiviral drugs and at-home care. Experts share that getting the shingles vaccine when it’s available to you can reduce your risk of getting shingles.

What percentage of people get shingles after the vaccine?

The shingles vaccine can provide strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most commonly occurring shingles complication. The shingles vaccine is 97% effective in preventing shingles in people ages 50 to 69 years old. It's 91% effective in people ages 70 years and older.

Can you still get shingles after having the vaccine?

It does not guarantee you will not get shingles, but it will reduce your chances. If you do get shingles, the vaccine is likely to make the symptoms milder and the illness shorter. You'll also be less likely to get shingles complications, such as post-herpetic neuralgia.

What are the chances of getting shingles after Shingrix vaccine?

Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and PHN. In adults 50 years and older who have healthy immune systems, Shingrix is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and PHN. Immunity stays strong for at least the first 7 years after vaccination.

How long is the shingles vaccine good for?

Zostavax®, the shingles vaccine, reduced the risk of shingles by 51% and the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia by 67% based on a large study of more than 38,000 adults aged 60 years or older. Protection from shingles vaccine lasts about 5 years.