Shingles Vaccine After Inhaled Steroid Use?

[allmymarbles]

You are not supposed to have the vaccine for shingles if you have been using steroids. I stopped using Advair (a steroid inhaler) last August, after using it for several years. I don't know if there is damage to my immune system. Is it safe for me to get the vaccine?

[allmymarbles]

Thank you.

[Arti Sharma, M.D.]

Hi there!
Any person who is taking high-dose steroids that could affect the immune system should discuss it with his doctor before taking any live vaccine. A person using inhaled steroids is safe to be vaccinated. The use of topical or inhaled steroids does not prevent the administration of vaccines. Inhaled steroids have very little systemic absorption. You have already stopped taking the inhaler months back. You can definitely get vaccinated for shingles. Hope you find this information useful.
Take care!