A couple, citizens and residents of the state of New York, filed a herpes zoster lawsuit against Merck & Co. in New Jersey federal court over allegations that administration of the shingles vaccine led to severe adverse side effects and complications, including the development of shingles itself.

Plaintiffs Susan and John F. filed the herpes zoster lawsuit demanding a trial by jury. The lawsuit was filed on Oct. 11, 2018.

According to the herpes zoster lawsuit, Susan was inoculated with the Zostavax vaccine in late 2016 for a routine health check. However, allegedly as a result of the shingles vaccine, Susan says she developed persistent herpes zoster, also known as shingles.

Susan says she developed a rash on her scalp and left ear, blisters on her chin, weakness, fatigue, and pain. Additionally, Susan says that she “will continue to suffer significant medical expenses, and pain and suffering, and other damages.”

The herpes zoster lawsuit was filed on multiple counts including negligence, design defect, failure to warn, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, negligent misrepresentation, unjust enrichment, and loss of consortium.

Overview: Herpes Zoster Lawsuit

A number of reported adverse side effects have been associated with the administration of the Zostavax shingles vaccine. While the vaccine contains an attenuated virus, the issue is that it might be too potent for some people. In fact, administration of the Zostavax vaccine has led to shingle shot reactions for individuals within zero to six months of receiving the vaccine, according to some studies.

Adverse side effects reported in conjunction with the herpes zoster vaccine may include:

• 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

The Zostavax shingles vaccine, composed of a weakened chickenpox virus, is administered to people over the age of 50 to help prevent the development of the shingles virus. However, there have been a number of reported side effects including nausea, muscle pain, joint pain, fever, and headaches. Other side effects noted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include paralysis, brain damage, and even death.

Due to these serious side effects, the FDA issued a black box warning denoting the serious risks linked to the Zostavax virus vaccine. A black box warning is the strictest of its kind placed on prescription medications and medical devices. Zostavax side effects, as reported to the FDA through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), reportedly include rashes, myalgina, anaphylactic reactions, necrotizing retinitis, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Additionally, many patients have chosen to file a herpes zoster lawsuit against the makers of the vaccine. These lawsuits accuse the drug makers of failing to disclose and advise the public of Zostavax side effects and other complications linked to the vaccine.

The Herpes Zoster Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-14883-JLL-JAD, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.