A Zostavax shingles lawsuit is currently being filed against the makers of the drug, Merck & Co., Inc., and other named defendants, over allegations that the vaccine is purportedly too strong for individuals and causes a number of severe adverse side effects and complications.

A number of plaintiffs, including Edward B., filed the Zostavax shingles lawsuit in New York federal court. The lawsuit was filed on May 1, 2018.

According to the Zostavax shingles lawsuit, Edward is a citizen and resident of the state of New York. He says that he was inoculated with the live-virus vaccine for the prevention of shingles.

Before doing so, Edward says he relied on a number of the vaccine’s representations that: 1) it was effective at preventing shingles, and 2) there were no adverse side effects and complications associated with the vaccine.

However, the Zostavax shingles lawsuit alleges that in fact, the “vaccine did not prevent shingles as intended” and instead that Edward “contracted a persistent strain of shingles, or severe herpes zoster.”

According to the Zostavax shingles lawsuit, due to the shingles contraction, Edward suffers painful and ongoing injuries. He requires and will continue to require extensive medical treatment and care, the lawsuit states.

Additionally, the lawsuit states that Edward “has suffered and will continue to suffer medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages, with the value of such damages exceeding the $25,000 statutory minimum for this court.”

Overview: Zostavax Shingles Lawsuit

There have been a number of serious side effects and complications associated with the Zostavax shingles vaccine. Many purport that the vaccine is, in fact, too strong for certain individuals. Some of the vaccine’s side effects include the following:

• Shingles after vaccine
• Myelitis (spinal cord inflammation)
• Postherpetic neuralgia (pain after shingles blisters pass)
• Vision problems (eye infections; retinal damage; blindness)
• Hearing loss
• Autoimmune disorders (Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating, Meniere’s Disease, Polyneuropathy)
• Cardiovascular event
• Stroke
• Pneumonia
• Congestive heart failure
• Bell’s Palsy (facial paralysis)
• Vasculitis
• Serious neurological disease/disorder

These are not the only reported side effects, however, linked to the vaccine. Other side effects, reported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have also included paralysis, brain damage, and even death.

Because of these side effects, the FDA needed to issue a black box warning to the vaccine’s labels; warning administers of these complications. The FDA’s black box warning is the strictest warning label placed on prescription drugs and medications. Through the FDA’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), other side effects have also included: rashes, myalgia, anaphylactic reactions, necrotizing retinitis, and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Zostavax shingles vaccine was made to be administered to people over the age of 50. It was made to help inhibit the development of shingles. The vaccine is comprised of a weakened chickenpox virus that helps the immune system fight off any development of shingles. For any individual, there is always the risk of developing shingles. In fact, a dormant chickenpox virus is thought to cause the development of shingles.

Current lawsuits being filed against the vaccine manufacturer accuses them of inadequately informing the public of the adverse side effects, like the development of shingles, associated with the vaccine.

The Zostavax Shingles Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-02969-SJF-AKT, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Kings.