long wait shingles vaccines

How long do you have to wait between shingles vaccines

WHAT IS SHINGLES, AND HOW CAN SHINGRIX HELP PROTECT AGAINST IT?

Shingles is an itchy and painful skin rash caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox). SHINGRIX uses your body’s immune system to boost your body’s protection against shingles. It is a vaccine proven to be over 90% effective in preventing shingles in adults 50 years and older in clinical trials.
Learn more about how SHINGRIX works to help protect you from shingles.
I FEEL HEALTHY; AM I REALLY AT RISK FOR SHINGLES?

If you’re one of the 99% of adults over 50 years old who have had chickenpox, the virus that causes shingles is inside your body and can reactivate at any time. 1 in every 3 people in the US will get shingles in their lifetime. No matter how healthy you feel, your immune system declines as you age, and that puts you at an increased risk for shingles.
DOES MY RISK OF SHINGLES INCREASE AS I GET OLDER?

Yes. Even if you feel healthy, your immune system declines as you age, and that puts you at an increased risk for shingles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a person's risk for shingles increases sharply after 50 years of age. 1 out of 3 people in the US will get shingles in their lifetime.
IS SHINGLES CONTAGIOUS?

You cannot get shingles from someone who has shingles. However, a person with active shingles can spread the virus to someone who has never had chickenpox—or who has never received the chickenpox vaccine. In this case, the person exposed to the virus might develop chickenpox. The virus can spread through direct contact with fluid from the blisters of the shingles rash. Once the shingles blisters have developed crusts, the virus can no longer spread.
IS SHINGRIX COVERED BY MY INSURANCE?

Most insurance plans cover SHINGRIX for patients 50 years and older. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about vaccination.
Learn more about cost and coverage options for SHINGRIX.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS SHINGRIX?

SHINGRIX is a shingles vaccine proven to be greater than 90% effective in preventing shingles in adults 50 years and older in clinical trials.
Learn more about how SHINGRIX works to protect you from shingles.
HOW MANY SHOTS OF SHINGRIX DO I NEED TO RECEIVE, AND WHEN?

SHINGRIX is given as a 2-dose series, with the second shot administered 2 to 6 months after the first shot. It’s important to receive both shots of SHINGRIX. If you’ve already had your first dose, sign up for text, email, and voice reminders for your second dose.
HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER EACH SHOT?

Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, muscle pain, tiredness, headache, shivering, fever, and upset stomach are all common side effects of SHINGRIX. Talk to your doctor about ways to manage side effects.
CAN I RECEIVE SHINGRIX WHILE PREGNANT OR NURSING?

SHINGRIX was not studied in pregnant or nursing women. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

SHINGRIX can help protect you against shingles. Start by finding out if you’re at risk.

About shingles

Facts about shingles

What is shingles?

Shingles is a serious disease that can cause a blistering rash resulting in severe pain that has the potential to linger.
The shingles rash usually occurs on one side of the body, such as the face, neck, or torso.

An estimated 1 in 3 people get shingles in their lifetime.

What causes shingles?

Shingles is caused by a virus. The shingles virus, also called the varicella zoster virus, is the same one that causes chickenpox.
As we age, our immune system naturally weakens. As a result, the shingles virus may reactivate, increasing the risk of developing shingles.

If you’re among the 90% of Canadian adults over 50 years old who have had chickenpox, the virus that causes shingles is already inside you.

What are some shingles symptoms?

Shingles can result in a painful and blistering rash that can last several weeks. The pain can be severe, and may interfere with everyday activities, like getting dressed, walking, and sleeping.
Shingles may lead to serious complications, such as chronic nerve pain (also called postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN), which can last for months or even years.
Other symptoms may include:

Burning, numbness or tingling
Sensitivity to touch
Fever
Headache
Vision problems/loss of vision
Upset stomach
Loss of hearing

What does shingles look like?

WARNING: The following images may be disturbing.

SHINGLES DOESN’T CARE, but you should!

Answer these questions to find out if you’re at risk.

1. True or false?

Chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same virus.

TRUE FALSE

True – Correct! Shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus – varicella zoster. If you have had chickenpox, you are at risk for shingles.

False – Incorrect – It is true that shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus – varicella zoster. If you have had chickenpox, you are at risk for shingles.

2. Complete this sentence:

Over % of Canadian adults have had chickenpox.

ENTER

Incorrect – Over 90% of Canadian adults have had chickenpox and are therefore at risk for shingles.

90% - Correct! Over 90% of Canadian adults have had chickenpox and are therefore at risk for shingles.

3. True or false?

As we age, our immune system naturally weakens.

TRUE FALSE

True – Correct! As we age, our immune system naturally weakens. As a result, the shingles virus may reactivate, increasing the risk of developing shingles.

False – Incorrect! It is true that as we age, our immune system naturally weakens. As a result, the shingles virus may reactivate, increasing the risk of developing shingles.

4. “I eat healthy and exercise regularly, so I’m not at risk of shingles.”

Do you think this statement is true or false?

TRUE FALSE

True – Incorrect! As you age, your risk of getting shingles increases, even if you have a healthy lifestyle.

False – Correct! As you age, your risk of getting shingles increases, even if you have a healthy lifestyle.

Hopefully, you learned something new about shingles. Do you intend to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about shingles?

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the risk game.

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What you need to know about SHINGRIX

SHINGRIX is a vaccine that helps protect against shingles (also called herpes zoster).

You will receive two SHINGRIX doses, with a gap of 2 to 6 months between doses.
To maximize the protection offered by SHINGRIX, it is important that you get both doses.
When you get your first dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist to schedule your next dose.

SHINGRIX is specially designed for adults 50 years of age and older to help the body build its protection against shingles, regardless of increasing age.
In clinical trials, SHINGRIX was shown to be over 90% effective at preventing shingles for people 50 years of age and older.
SHINGRIX is not for the prevention of chickenpox, nor for the treatment or prevention of the pain or symptoms associated with shingles, or its possible complications.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to find out if SHINGRIX is right for you.

Need help remembering your second dose? Print a card and make a note of your next vaccination appointment.

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FAQs

If you have had chickenpox, and that’s over 90% of adults over 50 years old in Canada, you’re at risk for shingles.

Shingles is a serious disease that commonly results in a very painful, blistering rash. It usually occurs in one part of the body and can last for several weeks. The pain can be severe, disabling, and interfere with normal day-to day activities.

Is the virus that causes chickenpox the same one that causes shingles?

Yes, chickenpox and shingles are both the result of the same virus called varicella zoster.

If you are like 90% of Canadians who have had chickenpox, your immune system may have been able to keep the virus under control. As we age our immune system naturally weakens, meaning the older you are the more likely it is that the shingles virus will reactivate.

What are some symptoms of shingles?

Shingles can result in a painful and blistering rash that can last several weeks. Other symptoms may include fever, headaches, vision problems, loss of hearing, sensitivity to touch, numbness and tingling.

These symptoms can lead to serious complications such as long-lasting nerve pain, which can last for months or years. The pain from shingles can be so intense that even walking, sleeping and social activities may become difficult.

Are there early signs of shingles?

Shingles is recognizable by the way it looks and feels on your body. Early signs of shingles may include:

Itching
Burning
Tingling with pain in the area where the rash will develop

You could feel some of these symptoms anywhere from one to five days before the rash even appears.

It is estimated that 1 in 3 people will develop shingles at some point in their lives.

Can shingles come back more than once?

Unfortunately, having shingles doesn’t prevent you from having shingles again. Shingles is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which may occur more than once.

SHINGRIX is a two-dose shingles vaccine that has been available across Canada since the beginning of 2018.

SHINGRIX was shown to be over 90% effective at preventing shingles for people 50 years of age and older in clinical trials.

How effective is SHINGRIX?

In clinical studies, SHINGRIX was demonstrated to be more than 90% effective in preventing shingles in people who are 50 years of age and older, including those over the age of 70. SHINGRIX maintained protection for four years. The duration of protection beyond four years is still under investigation.

How long does SHINGRIX, a shingles vaccine, last?

Clinical trials demonstrated that SHINGRIX maintained protection for four years after the second dose. The duration of protection beyond four years is currently under investigation. As with all vaccines, SHINGRIX may not fully protect all people who are vaccinated.

Will SHINGRIX protect against chickenpox?

Though both shingles and chickenpox are a result of the varicella zoster virus, SHINGRIX is not for prevention of chickenpox.

Who should consider getting the shingles vaccine, SHINGRIX?

As we age, the risk of getting shingles increases. That’s why SHINGRIX is a two-dose shingles vaccine specifically designed for adults 50 years of age and older. SHINGRIX helps the body build its protection against shingles, regardless of increasing age. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends SHINGRIX for adults 50 years of age and older. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if SHINGRIX is right for you.

How many doses of SHINGRIX are required to maximize protection?

SHINGRIX is a two-dose shingles vaccine, with a gap of 2 to 6 months between doses. The first dose can be given from the age of 50. When you get your first dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist to schedule your next one in order to make sure you receive both doses of SHINGRIX. This will maximize the protection offered by SHINGRIX.

What are SHINGRIX side effects?

Very common adverse events (>10% of doses) reported in clinical trials were pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, headache, stomach and digestive complaints, muscle pain, tiredness, chills, and fever. Most side effects were mild or moderate, lasting less than 3 days. Please speak to your doctor or pharmacist should you have any questions about shingles and shingles prevention.

Can SHINGRIX cause shingles?

SHINGRIX is a non-live shingles vaccine, which means there are no live components of the virus within the vaccine formulation. Therefore, it’s not possible to contract shingles from SHINGRIX.

Where can I get SHINGRIX?

SHINGRIX is a shingles vaccine that has been available across Canada since the beginning of 2018. To find a clinic near you that stocks SHINGRIX, please visit SHINGRIX.ca and use our clinic finder tool at the bottom of the page, or ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What is the cost of SHINGRIX?

The cost of SHINGRIX varies by pharmacy. Please check with your local pharmacy for pricing. Some private insurers may cover all or part of the cost of SHINGRIX. Please contact your private insurer for more information on your coverage.

Is the cost of SHINGRIX covered in my province?

Provincial ministries of health are responsible for making decisions about the implementation and funding of public immunization programs. Please contact the Ministry of Health in your province directly for information.

Note: The following are the public health funding available in Canada as of April 26, 2021.

SHINGRIX is covered on the Ontario publicly funded shingles immunization program for Ontario seniors age 65 to 73 years.