Shingles Vaccine Complications

Shingles is a painful skin condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Unlike chickenpox, however, shingles mainly affects adults because only people who have had chickenpox can develop shingles. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 million people a year develop shingles. It is generally not considered to be life-threatening, but the rash from the condition can be severely painful and take weeks to heal.

Vaccine Recommendations

• The shingles vaccine is not currently recommended for any segment of the population, but it is often administered because it has proven effective at preventing the illness in about half the people older than 60 who have received it. However, it is not safe for all people, including those who are allergic the gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin and people who have weakened immune systems.

Injection Site Effects

• According to the CDC, about a third of people who receive the shingles vaccine will develop redness, soreness or swelling at the injection site. When these are noticed, they are no cause for concern and generally subside within a day or two of receiving the shot.

Headaches

• Another known side effect of the shingles vaccine is headaches. This effect is rare, however, affecting only about 1 in 70 people who get the vaccine, according to the CDC. People who develop a headache can try to alleviate the pain with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Severe Reactions

• According to the CDC, the shingles vaccine is not known to cause severe risks or side effects. However, as with all vaccines, a severe reaction is possible. Signs of a severe reaction include unusual behavior changes and a high fever. Signs of an allergic reaction include wheezing, chest tightness, hives and swelling of the face and mouth. Any severe reactions should be reported to a doctor immediately.

Adverse Reaction Reporting

• In the event a person receiving the vaccine does experience a severe reaction, a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System form should be filed out and filed with the local health department. If you have a severe reaction to the shingles vaccine, inform your doctor about the reaction you experienced and when you experienced it and ask your doctor to file the adverse reaction form. You can also file the reportby visiting the website www.vaers.hhs.gov or calling [phone].