You should not receive this vaccine if you have:
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active untreated tuberculosis;
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leukemia, lymphoma, or other cancer affecting bone marrow;
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a history of allergic reaction to gelatin or neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab);
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a weak immune system caused by disease (such as HIV or AIDS), or by receiving medications such as steroids or chemotherapy; or
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if you are pregnant.
Before receiving zoster vaccine, tell your doctor if you have:
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a history of allergic reaction to any vaccine; or
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if you have never had chickenpox.
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. If you have tuberculosis, or any other severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive this vaccine, or you may need to wait until a later time when you are well.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control to prevent pregnancy for at least 3 months after receiving this vaccine.
It is not known whether zoster vaccine passes into breast milk, or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Zoster vaccine should not be given to a child.
Zoster vaccine is given as an injection under the skin. You will receive this vaccine in a doctor’s office or other clinic setting.
Zoster vaccine is usually given as a one-time injection. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you will not need a booster vaccine.
Since zoster vaccine is given as a one-time injection, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule.
You should not receive a second zoster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. If you ever need to receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.
Becoming infected with shingles is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
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fever, chills, sore throat, weakness, flu symptoms;
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breathing problems; or
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severe or painful skin rash.
Less serious side effects include:
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pain, redness, bruising, or swelling where the shot was given;
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diarrhea;
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headache; or
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mild skin rash.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. If you have tuberculosis, or any other severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.
You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. If you ever need to receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shot caused any side effects.
Becoming infected with herpes zoster (shingles) is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Do not receive this vaccine if you have leukemia or lymphoma (or other cancer affecting bone marrow), a history of allergic reaction to neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab). You should not receive this vaccine if you are pregnant, or if you have active untreated tuberculosis, any type of cancer that affects bone marrow, or a weak immune system caused by disease (such as HIV or AIDS) or by receiving medications such as steroids or chemotherapy.
After receiving this vaccine, avoid coming into contact with other people who have never had chickenpox, especially if they are pregnant.
There may be other drugs that can affect zoster vaccine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to occur.