Shingrix Second Dose Timing After Delay
If you miss your second Shingrix shot, you can get it a year later without needing to restart the series. 1, 2
Understanding Shingrix Vaccination Schedule
- The standard recommended schedule for Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine) is two doses administered 2-6 months apart 1
- The second dose can be administered beyond the recommended 6-month timeframe without requiring a restart of the series 2
- Clinical effectiveness is maintained even when the second dose is administered after the recommended timeframe 2
Evidence Supporting Delayed Second Dose
- Real-world effectiveness studies show that second doses administered beyond the recommended 6 months did not impair vaccine effectiveness 2
- According to the FDA label, when vaccine schedules are interrupted, the series does not need to be restarted - this principle applies to Shingrix 1
- In a large Medicare study, the two-dose vaccine effectiveness was not significantly lower for beneficiaries who received their second dose at ≥180 days (beyond 6 months) 2
Importance of Completing the Series
- Two doses of Shingrix provide significantly better protection than a single dose 2
- Real-world data shows 70.1% effectiveness with two doses compared to 56.9% effectiveness with one dose 2
- Approximately 70% of people complete the two-dose series within six months, and 80% within 12 months of the first dose 3
Practical Considerations
- The recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix) is recommended for adults ≥50 years and adults ≥18 years at increased risk for zoster disease 4
- Side effect concerns are a common reason for not completing the second dose - most side effects are mild to moderate and transient 5, 6
- Individuals concerned about side effects are 1.83 times more likely to receive only one dose rather than completing the full two-dose series 5
Special Populations
- For high-risk adults (such as immunocompromised individuals), a shorter schedule is allowed with the second dose given 1-2 months after the first one 4
- Shingrix is effective even in individuals with autoimmune conditions and those with immunosuppressive conditions 2, 7
- The vaccine effectiveness against postherpetic neuralgia (a painful complication of shingles) is 76.0% with the two-dose regimen 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not restart the series if you miss the recommended timeframe for the second dose - simply get the second dose as soon as possible 1
- Do not assume a single dose provides adequate protection - completing the series is essential for optimal effectiveness 2
- Do not avoid the second dose due to side effect concerns from the first dose - the protection benefits outweigh the temporary discomfort 5, 6