Shingrix Complications: Identifying Them and Strategies for Handling
The Shingrix vaccine, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017, is a brand-name vaccine designed to help prevent shingles, a painful and potentially debilitating disease caused by the varicella zoster virus.
The active ingredient in Shingrix is recombinant varicella zoster virus, a biologic. It is given as an intramuscular injection, typically in the upper arm. You only need two doses of the shingles vaccine to be fully vaccinated.
In clinical trials, Shingrix has been found to cause a range of side effects, some of which are common and transient, while others are mild and rare. Common side effects include fatigue, fever, headache, muscle pain, and reaction at the injection site. These symptoms typically resolve within 2 to 3 days.
Moreover, muscle pain was one of the most common side effects reported in clinical trials for Shingrix. Reactions at the injection site, gastrointestinal side effects, and headaches are some of the side effects that Shingrix may cause. After the second dose, headache and shivering were reported more often. Mild side effects can also occur, such as dizziness, fainting, gastrointestinal side effects, and mild allergic reactions.
Mild symptoms of an allergic reaction to Shingrix can include skin rash, itching, flushing, swelling under the skin, and swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat. For such mild symptoms, it is recommended to call your doctor right away. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you're having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
It's not known whether it may be safe to receive the Shingrix vaccine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, it's essential to discuss this with your doctor to determine whether Shingrix may be safe for you. Swollen lymph nodes weren't a common side effect that people reported after receiving Shingrix.
Long-term side effects of the Shingrix vaccine are generally rare and not significantly different from placebo groups, according to clinical studies. Specifically, potential long-term concerns like immune-mediated diseases (pIMDs) were reported in about 0.6% of vaccine recipients, a rate comparable to 0.7% in placebo recipients, indicating no clear long-term immune complications linked to the vaccine. Death rates up to one year post-vaccination also did not differ significantly between vaccinated and placebo groups, with causes consistent with typical adult and elderly populations.
No cases of postherpetic neuralgia (a common severe complication of shingles) were reported in the vaccinated group in clinical trials, which indicates effective long-term protection without notable serious adverse effects.
In summary, no significant long-term side effects have been documented for Shingrix beyond transient common symptoms. The vaccine has a strong safety profile in adults 50 years and older. It is considered highly effective and safe, with benefits outweighing risks, particularly in preventing shingles and its complications.
An OTC pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) may be recommended to manage muscle pain from Shingrix. If you experience muscle pain that's severe or very bothersome after receiving Shingrix, it's advisable to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Shingrix belongs to the drug class of vaccines. It's crucial to remember that everyone's response to vaccines can vary, and it's essential to discuss any concerns or questions with your healthcare provider.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Shingrix: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/shingrix/public/index.html [3] Food and Drug Administration. (2017). FDA approves Shingrix, a vaccine to prevent shingles. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-shingrix-vaccine-prevent-shingles [4] National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2021). Shingles. Retrieved from https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/shingles
- The Shingrix vaccine, a preventive measure for shingles, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017 and contains recombinant varicella zoster virus as its active ingredient.
- It is recommended to receive two doses of the Shingrix vaccine to gain full protection against shingles, which can be transmitted by the varicella zoster virus.
- Shingrix, given as an intramuscular injection, can cause common side effects such as fatigue, fever, headache, muscle pain, and reaction at the injection site, most of which resolve within 2 to 3 days.
- In clinical trials, Shingrix was found to cause muscle pain more often than other side effects, and reactions at the injection site, gastrointestinal side effects, and headaches were also reported.
- Mild allergic reactions, such as skin rash, itching, flushing, swelling under the skin, and swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, are possible side effects of Shingrix.
- It's important to discuss the safety of the Shingrix vaccine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding with a healthcare provider. Long-term side effects of the Shingrix vaccine are generally rare, and no significant differences have been reported between vaccinated and placebo groups in clinical studies.
- Over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) may be recommended to manage muscle pain from Shingrix side effects. Consult a doctor or pharmacist for severe or bothersome muscle pain after receiving the vaccine.
