Prevention

A shingles vaccine may help prevent shingles.

People who are eligible to get it should get the Shingrix vaccine in the U.S.

In the United States, Shingrix was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017. Studies suggest that Shingrix offers protection against shingles for more than five years. Shingrix is a nonliving vaccine made of a virus component. It is given in two doses, with 2-6 months between doses.

Shingrix is approved and recommended for people age 50 and older, including those who've previously received the Zostavax vaccine or had shingles.

The Zostavax vaccine is no longer sold in the U.S., but other countries may still use it.

The most common side effects of either shingles vaccine are redness, pain, tenderness, swelling and itching at the injection site, and headaches.

The shingles vaccine doesn't guarantee that you won't get shingles. But this vaccine will likely reduce the course and severity of the disease and reduce your risk of postherpetic neuralgia.

The shingles vaccine is used only as a prevention strategy. It's not intended to treat people who currently have the disease. Talk to your doctor about which option is right for you.