{"meta":{"status":200,"messages":[],"pagination":{"max":1,"offset":0,"count":1,"total":1,"pageNum":1,"totalPages":1,"sort":null,"currentUrl":"https://api.digitalmedia.hhs.gov/api/v2/resources/media.json?offset=0&max=1&ignoreHiddenMedia=1&format=json&id=8935&newUrlBase=http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements","nextUrl":null,"previousUrl":null}},"results":[{"content":"
\nCurrent Edition Date: 10/30/2019
\nLive zoster (shingles) vaccine can prevent shingles.
\nShingles (also called herpes zoster, or just zoster) is a painful skin rash, usually with blisters. In addition to the rash, shingles can cause fever, headache, chills, or upset stomach. More rarely, shingles can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation (encephalitis), or death.
\nThe most common complication of shingles is long-term nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN occurs in the areas where the shingles rash was, even after the rash clears up. It can last for months or years after the rash goes away. The pain from PHN can be severe and debilitating.
\nAbout 10 to 18% of people who get shingles will experience PHN. The risk of PHN increases with age. An older adult with shingles is more likely to develop PHN and have longer lasting and more severe pain than a younger person with shingles.
\nShingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have chickenpox, the virus stays in your body and can cause shingles later in life. Shingles cannot be passed from one person to another, but the virus that causes shingles can spread and cause chickenpox in someone who had never had chickenpox or received chickenpox vaccine.
\nLive shingles vaccine can provide protection against shingles and PHN.
\nAnother type of shingles vaccine, recombinant shingles vaccine, is the preferred vaccine for the prevention of shingles. However, live shingles vaccine may be used in some circumstances (for example if a person is allergic to recombinant shingles vaccine or prefers live shingles vaccine, or if recombinant shingles vaccine is not available).
\nAdults 60 years and older who get live shingles vaccine should receive 1 dose, administered by injection.
\nShingles vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.
\nTell your vaccine provider if the person getting the vaccine:
\nIn some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone shingles vaccination to a future visit.
\nPeople with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting live shingles vaccine.
\nYour health care provider can give you more information.
\nRarely, live shingles vaccine can cause rash or shingles.
\nPeople sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
\nAs with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
\nAn allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person to the nearest hospital.
\nFor other signs that concern you, call your health care provider.
\nAdverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS websiteexternal icon or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff do not give medical advice.
\nMany Vaccine Information Statements are available in espa\u00f1ol and other languages. See http://www.immunize.org/visexternal icon.
\nHojas de informaci\u00f3n sobre vacunas est\u00e1n disponibles en espa\u00f1ol y en muchos otros idiomas. Visite http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_spanish.aspexternal icon
\nVaccine Information Statement
Live Zoster Vaccine (10/30/19)
Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention