How the Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix) Works

Subscribe for the latest science breakdowns! And, become a member to chat 1:1 about science related topics!
The shingles vaccine is effective at reducing the chance of painful body & face rashes (known as shingles) and long term nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). If you have had the chickenpox in the past then the varicella zoster virus remains in your nerve cells and could reactivate causing shingles.
To learn more about shingles and the shingles vaccine visit: www.cdc.gov/va...

[@MsDenver2]

I’ve had the first of two shingles vaccines and became ill the morning after and now a month later I’m still ill

[@BarnabyWild13]

If you’ve never had chickenpox, should you still get the shingles vaccine? It doesn’t sound like it.

[@JadenWaddell]

If you’ve had the chickenpox vacccine then yes, if you haven’t had chickenpox or the vaccine then no.

[@evelynibarra293]

If a person alredy have PHN, could the vaccine help with the pain? Or it would just prevent future episodes? 🤔

[@ScientistSwanda]

Unfortunately I couldn’t find any research literature that would support the vaccine reducing PHN severity in someone who already has it. 🫤

[@sqlsmarty4325]

Thanks, Doc. 😎💉💉

[@OildaleTweaker]

I love the 80s bro

[@Anonymousones1]

Is it worth getting if u had shingles already

[@ScientistSwanda]

yes, it is still recommend to receive the vaccine series. shingles can reoccur multiple times after one has already had the disease, and that risk also increases with age.

[@ellie698]

Yes, you can get shingles more than once. I've had it once and it was awful. Had it on my scalp and next and still get itching where the sores were. I've had the first dose of vaccine and felt terrible for nearly a week after. Am dreading the second dose but shingles is so painful and as you age your immune system is less able to keep it in check. Hence the need for the vaccine ☹️☹️☹️

[@mw9491]

@@ellie698 I also had it on my scalp in 2020 the first time. Extremely painful but I caught it early enough and got valacyclovar to treat it and it went away

[@mw9491]

@@ScientistSwanda WHY am I gettin shingles AGAIN after I have already had the shingrix shot? Does it only last 4 years?

[@NasimaTalib]

Pleas win will vaccin herpès génital plz ?

[@melindaunknown6411]

How long does protection last after the Shingrix shot?

[@itsgonnabeanaurfromme]

10 years has been established upwards of 97%

[@ellie698]

​I thought it was 4 years.

[@mw9491]

@@ellie698 It's more than likely 4 years. I got the shingrix shot after I had shingles in 2020. (2 shots- one in Jan 2021 and one in Feb 2021) and I just got shingles AGAIN. Now I have to wait until this clears so I can get another set of shingrix shots.

[@BF2021-kf8xz]

@@mw9491 sounds like shingrix isn't working for you!

[@bobleclair5665]

Sounds like we’re trying to keep the varicella zoster virus alive and well the the human body with all these shots.! I got mine in the early 1950s,,, got my shingles attack at 71 years of age

[@ellie698]

As the body ages, the immune system is less able to keep the virus dormant hence the older you get the more likely you are to get shingles. I had shingles in my early 50's ☹️☹️☹️

[@lilpoohbear653]

no thanks...ugh

[@itsgonnabeanaurfromme]

Enjoy your shingles 😘

[@lilpoohbear653]

thats so ridiculous@@itsgonnabeanaurfromme

[@nsondyyahoocomph]

Shingles Virus Applauding 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@ellie698]

Shingles is incredibly painful and can have long lasting nerve damage issues. Shingles can come back more than once. As you get older your immune system doesn't work as well to keep the chicken pox virus dormant. The shingles vaccine is rough. But shingles is rougher ☹️☹️☹️😱😱😱

[@MarshallArtz007]

@@ellie698: I had the 2nd shot a few days ago. The side effects from both shots were minimal: a little soreness at the injection site the following day along with just feeling a little “out of it.” The next day everything was back to normal. I’m 74. 💉🦠