This may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue or lips.
It is important to stay in the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine because there is a very rare possibility, between one in 100,000 and one in a million, of a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Other reactions that may occur after getting Shingrix® include fever, muscle soreness, fatigue, shivering, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Itching and a rash may also occur after getting Zostavax® II. The vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of getting shingles by 50% for Zostavax® II, and to more than 90% for Shingrix®.įor those who still get shingles after being immunized, the vaccines can reduce pain, including the type of pain that lasts after shingles.Ĭommon side effects to the vaccines include headache as well as soreness, redness and swelling where the vaccine was given. The shingles vaccines are the best way to protect you from getting shingles. What are the benefits of the shingles vaccine? Talk with your health care provider if you have questions about the shingles vaccines.įind information in different languages in the HealthLinkBC File: Shingles Vaccine. Some health insurance plans may cover the cost of the vaccine check with your provider. Zostavax® II is given as 1 dose and costs about $200. Zostavax® II has been shown to reduce the risk of getting shingles by 50%.
Zostavax® II may be given to adults 50 years of age and older who cannot get Shingrix® due to a life-threatening reaction to a previous dose of Shingrix® vaccine or any part of the vaccine, or due to the Shingrix® vaccine being unavailable. The Shingrix® vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of getting shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia (a type of severe pain that lasts months to years after shingles) by more than 90%.įor those who still get shingles after being immunized, the vaccine can reduce pain, including the type of pain that lasts after shingles. If you are covered by First Nations Health Benefits, please go here. Some health insurance plans may cover the cost of the vaccine check with your insurance provider. Call ahead to ask about vaccine availability. It costs about $150/dose and can be purchased at some pharmacies and travel clinics.
The vaccine is not provided for free in B.C. The vaccine is given as two doses, at least two to six months apart.