Unimpressed SHINGRIX party guests.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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

    Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, the virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles is most common in people 50 years and older, and those with a compromised immune system. In clinical trials, SHINGRIX has been shown to be over 90% effective at preventing shingles across all age groups 50 years and older.4,5 SHINGRIX offers sustained protection against shingles out to year 10 and continues to be monitored.11,13

  • I FEEL HEALTHY - AM I REALLY AT RISK FOR SHINGLES?

    If you’re one of the 99% of adults 50 years and older who have had chickenpox, the virus that causes shingles is inside your body and can reactivate at any time. 1 in every 3 people will get shingles in their lifetime.1 No matter how healthy you feel, your immune system declines as you age, and that puts you at an increased risk for shingles.

    *US data. May not be representative of global population.

  • 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. In particular, a person’s risk for shingles increases sharply after 50 years of age. 1 in 3 people will get shingles in their lifetime.1

    *US data. May not be representative of global population.

  • IS SHINGLES CONTAGIOUS?

    Shingles occurs when the virus that’s already in your body reactivates, so it cannot be passed from one person to another. However, since the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles are the same, if a person who has never had or hasn’t been vaccinated against chickenpox comes into direct contact with the blisters of someone with shingles, they may get chickenpox.2

  • HOW EFFECTIVE IS SHINGRIX?

    In clinical trials, SHINGRIX has been shown to be over 90% effective at preventing shingles across all age groups 50 years and older.4,5 SHINGRIX offers sustained protection against shingles out to year 10 and continues to be monitored.11,13

  • HOW MANY DOSES OF SHINGRIX DO I NEED TO RECEIVE, AND WHEN?

    SHINGRIX is given as a 2-dose series, with the second dose administered 2 to 6 months after the first dose. It’s important to receive both doses of SHINGRIX.3

  • HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER EACH DOSE?

    Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, muscle pain, tiredness, headache, shivering, fever and upset stomach are the most common side effects of SHINGRIX. Talk to your doctor about ways to manage injection-site pain. Most side effects have a duration of 1–3 days.3,5

  • CAN I RECEIVE SHINGRIX WHILE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING?

    SHINGRIX has not been studied in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Tell your healthcare professional if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.3

  • CAN I RECEIVE SHINGRIX IF I'VE BEEN VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19?

    If you've been vaccinated against COVID-19, please talk to your healthcare professional about getting SHINGRIX.

  • CAN I RECEIVE SHINGRIX IF I'VE BEEN VACCINATED AGAINST THE FLU?

    If you've been vaccinated against the flu, please talk to your healthcare professional about getting SHINGRIX.