From the Guidelines
Vitamin B12 and Shingrix (Herpes Zoster vaccine) can be coadministered without any concerns, as there are no known interactions or contraindications between them. According to the study published in MMWR Recommendations and Reports 1, live vaccines such as Shingrix can be administered simultaneously or sequentially with other inactivated vaccines or live vaccines. The study also recommends that injectable vaccines given concomitantly should be administered at separate anatomic sites.
Key Points to Consider
- Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays essential roles in nerve function, DNA synthesis, and red blood cell formation, while Shingrix is a vaccine that helps prevent shingles (herpes zoster) by boosting your immune system's response to the varicella-zoster virus.
- The mechanisms of action for these two substances are completely different and do not interfere with each other.
- If you're receiving B12 injections, they can be administered at a different injection site than the Shingrix vaccine.
- For oral B12 supplements, you can take them at any time relative to your Shingrix vaccination.
- As always, inform your healthcare provider about all medications and supplements you're taking when receiving any vaccine.
Administration Guidelines
- Shingrix can be administered simultaneously with other live or inactivated vaccines, including influenza vaccines 1.
- If two live vaccines are not given simultaneously, at least 4 weeks should pass after administration of one live vaccine before another live vaccine is administered 1.
- Vaccines that are administered at the same time as influenza vaccines that might be more likely to be associated with local injection site reactions should be given in different limbs, if possible 1.
From the Research
Vitamin B12 and Shingrix Coadministration
- There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided studies focus on Vitamin B12 deficiency, its diagnosis, treatment, and management, but do not mention the Shingrix (Herpes Zoster) vaccine or its coadministration with Vitamin B12 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies discuss various aspects of Vitamin B12, including its importance in cellular metabolism, causes of deficiency, diagnostic biomarkers, and treatment options, but do not address vaccine coadministration 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The lack of relevant information in the provided studies makes it impossible to determine whether Vitamin B12 and Shingrix can be coadministered based on the available evidence.