A class action investigation has been launched after patients allegedly developed an adverse Zostavax shingle shot reaction, which caused patients to develop allergic and other symptoms. The Zostavax shingle shot reaction can reportedly occur from doses that are too potent, which caused serious symptoms in patients.

Zostavax shingle shot reaction symptoms vary between patients ranging from hearing loss to autoimmune disorders. They are typically reported within the first zero to six months after getting the shot. Symptoms of a reaction may include:

• Shingles after vaccine
• Myelitis (spinal cord inflammation)
• Postherpetic neuralgia (pain after shingles blisters subside)
• Vision Problems
• Hearing Loss
• Autoimmune Disorders
• Stroke
• Cardiovascular Events
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Pneumonia
• Bell’s Palsy (facial paralysis)
• Serious Neurological Disease
• Vasculitis

Zostavax is an immunization vaccine recommended for patients over the age of 50 are recommended, to help prevent shingles. The Zostavax vaccine consists of a weaker version of the chickenpox virus, which is meant to help the immune system develop the necessary protection against shingles. It is important to note that shingles is thought to result from a dormant form of chickenpox becoming active.

Shingles is a painful skin rash that is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is the same strain that causes chickenpox. There are approximately one million cases of shingles diagnosed per year, making the Zostavax shingles vaccine vital in the patient population.

Zostavax is currently the only vaccine approved by the FDA to prevent shingles, with the CDC stating the vaccine can reduce the risk of shingles by over half. However, it has been noted that the older the patient is, the less effective the vaccine.

Overview of Zostavax Shingle Shot Reaction Investigation

Zostavax shingle shot reaction incidents have caused major concern to the United States medical community, with the FDA noting reports of blindness, paralysis, brain damage, and even death. The FDA has recently issued two black box warning updates to the Zostavax warning label, with the drug’s label updated to include eye inflammation and vision damage in 2016.

Furthermore, the FDA’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) had received reports of other Zostavax shingle shot reaction incidents including: gastrointestinal disorders, rashes, arthralgia, myalgia, anaphylactic reactions, and necrotizing retinitis.

These serious reactions have caused manufacturer Merck to face public criticism, with the Zostavax patient information sheet stating potential reactions can include fever, joint pain, muscle pain, nausea, and chickenpox or shingles after the vaccine is injected.

Reports of adverse reactions related to Zostavax have already spurred several product liability claims filed in federal and state courts. The first Zostavax lawsuit was filed in February 2017 by a woman alleging she experienced headaches and blurred vision from an adverse shingle shot reaction. She alleged she continues to suffer from visions problems in her right eye, high blood pressure, headaches, and dizziness.

Patients who suffered an adverse Zostavax shingle shot reaction may be able to file legal action against the manufacturer. These patients can seek potential damages for medical damages, as well as failure to warn against Merck.