From the Guidelines
The shingles vaccine does not typically cause a flare-up in the area of a previous shingles rash. While some people may experience mild side effects from the vaccine, such as redness, soreness, or swelling at the injection site, these reactions are generally not related to or concentrated in areas where someone previously had shingles 1. The vaccine works by boosting your immune system's response to the varicella-zoster virus, which causes both chickenpox and shingles. This immune stimulation happens throughout your body and isn't targeted specifically to previously affected areas.
Key Points to Consider
- A recent study in the US found that the cumulative incidence of recurrence of herpes zoster (HZ) at 2,4,6,8, and 10 years was 2.5%, 4.8%, 6.6%, 8.0%, and 10.3%, respectively 1.
- Based on the high rates of HZ recurrence after a prior episode of HZ, vaccination with zoster vaccine is recommended after a prior episode of HZ, with a minimal 2-month interval between an episode of HZ and zoster vaccination 1.
- If you notice a rash developing in the same location as a previous shingles outbreak after vaccination, it's more likely to be coincidental or due to other factors rather than directly caused by the vaccine.
Recommendations for Vaccination
- The panel recommends vaccination with zoster vaccine, either ZVL or RZV, after a prior episode of HZ, considering the benefits of reducing the risk of developing shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia 1.
- A minimal of 2-month interval between an episode of HZ and zoster vaccination is recommended, based on the documented minimal interval between an episode of HZ and recurrence of 2 months 1.
From the Research
Shingles Vaccine and Previous Rash Flare
- The provided studies do not directly address whether the shingles vaccine causes a flare in the area of a previous rash 2, 3.
- The studies focus on the effectiveness of the Shingrix vaccine in preventing herpes zoster and its complications, as well as its safety profile 2, 3.
- One study found that the Shingrix vaccine was effective in reducing the risk of herpes zoster by 50% in patients with inflammatory arthritis 2.
- Another study reviewed the use of Shingrix for herpes zoster prophylaxis and found it to have an overall vaccine efficacy of 97.2% in participants 50 years of age or older 3.
- However, neither study specifically investigated the occurrence of flare-ups in the area of a previous rash after vaccination 2, 3.