VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many vaccine information statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

Recombinant Zoster (Shingles) 

Vaccine: What You Need to Know

1. Why get vaccinated?

Recombinant zoster (shingles) vaccine can 

prevent shingles.

Shingles (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. Rarely, shingles can lead to 

complications such as pneumonia, hearing problems, 

blindness, brain inflammation (encephalitis), or death.

The risk of shingles increases with age. The most 

common complication of shingles is long-term nerve 

pain called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN occurs 

in the areas where the shingles rash was and can last for 

months or years after the rash goes away. The pain from 

PHN can be severe and debilitating.

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.

People with weakened immune systems also have a 

higher risk of getting shingles and complications from 

the disease.

Shingles is caused by 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 has never had chickenpox or has never received 

chickenpox vaccine.

2. Recombinant shingles vaccine

Recombinant shingles vaccine provides strong 

protection against shingles. By preventing shingles, 

recombinant shingles vaccine also protects against PHN 

and other complications.

Recombinant shingles vaccine is recommended for:

 Adults 50 years and older

 Adults 19 years and older who have a weakened 

immune system because of disease or treatments

Shingles vaccine is given as a two-dose series. For most 

people, the second dose should be given 2 to 6 months 

after the first dose. Some people who have or will have 

a weakened immune system can get the second dose 

1 to 2 months after the first dose. Ask your health care 

provider for guidance.

People who have had shingles in the past and people 

who have received varicella (chickenpox) vaccine are 

recommended to get recombinant shingles vaccine. 

The vaccine is also recommended for people who have 

already gotten another type of shingles vaccine, the live 

shingles vaccine. There is no live virus in recombinant 

shingles vaccine.

Shingles vaccine may be given at the same time as 

other vaccines.
OFFICE 

USE 2/04/2022 ONLY

Vaccine Information Statement

Recombinant Zoster Vaccine

3. Talk with your health 

care provider

Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting 

the vaccine:

 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose 

of recombinant shingles vaccine, or has any severe, 

life-threatening allergies

 Is currently experiencing an episode of shingles

 Is pregnant

In some cases, your health care provider may decide to 

postpone shingles vaccination until a future visit.

People 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 

recombinant shingles vaccine.

Your health care provider can give you more 

information.

4. Risks of a vaccine reaction

 A sore arm with mild or moderate pain is very 

common after recombinant shingles vaccine. 

Redness and swelling can also happen at the site of the 

injection.

 Tiredness, muscle pain, headache, shivering, 

fever, stomach pain, and nausea are common after 

recombinant shingles vaccine.

These side effects may temporarily prevent a vaccinated 

person from doing regular activities. Symptoms usually 

go away on their own in 2 to 3 days. You should still get 

the second dose of recombinant shingles vaccine even if 

you had one of these reactions after the first dose.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a serious nervous 

system disorder, has been reported very rarely after 

recombinant zoster vaccine.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, 

including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel 

dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance 

of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other 

serious injury, or death.

5. What if there is a serious 

problem?

An 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.

For other signs that concern you, call your health 

care provider.

Adverse 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 website at www.vaers.hhs.

gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS is only for reporting 

reactions, and VAERS staff members do not give medical 

advice.

6. How can I learn more?

 Ask your health care provider.

 Call your local or state health department.

 Visit the website of the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) for vaccine package inserts 

and additional information at www.fda.gov/vaccinesblood-biologics/vaccines.

 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC):

-Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or

- Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.