You might have opted to get a shingles vaccine because your doctor told you that it was recommended. However, it’s important that you know the possible risks so that you can determine whether or not you’ve gotten shingles from the shingles vaccine already.

Shingles is a rash triggered by the same virus that also causes chickenpox. If you already had chickenpox when you were younger, the virus was not completely eliminated. Instead, it might be inside your body in a dormant status, meaning that it can emerge as shingles later in life.

Most patients don’t even know that they can get shingles again, even if they already had it once. If you are considering getting the vaccine, doctors recommend confirming that any rash linked to the last shingles episode has already cleared up.

What Are Some Immediate Side Effects from the Vaccine?

Not everyone will react the same way to the shingles vaccine, but a number of common side effects have been reported. While many of these are minor, some can be more serious and should be reported to a physician as soon as possible.

Some of the most common side effects of a shingles vaccine include nausea, stomach pain, fever, headache, and muscle pain.

What Are More Severe Side Effects?

Some side effects can be an indication of a much more critical reaction in the patient’s body, however. These can include hives, dizziness, swelling of the face, rapid pulse, irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, or redness in the skin.

Other patients have reported getting shingles from the shingles vaccine. Even though the vaccine is supposed to protect vulnerable populations from getting this medical condition, an alarming number of patients have reportedly actually gotten shingles.

Do I Really Need the Vaccine?

Due to the other side effects and the possibility of getting shingles from the shingles vaccine, many patients are now questioning whether they should get the vaccine at all. Older adults are the population group most likely to get shingles, which is why they’re more likely to get the vaccine, too.

There are two different kinds of vaccines approved to prevent shingles: Shingrix and Zostavax. If you already met with your doctor about the vaccine and they recommended one or the other, you should do your research about the possible side effects of each. Recently, the Shingrix vaccine has been recommended to most patients.

This is because it’s viewed as being less risky for patients. Further research about the possible side effects with this other vaccine, however, are still being studied.

There are many possible complications that should factor into your decision about whether or not to get the Zostavax vaccine. These concerns include an autoimmune disease, untreated tuberculosis, use of steroid drugs, and cancer treatments. Make sure that you share all these issues with your doctor before getting any vaccine.

What if I Do Get Shingles from the Shingles Vaccine?

If you were to develop shingles after getting the vaccine designed to prevent it, your doctor can help you determine the right treatment method for managing that shingles event. Watch for the symptoms and tell your doctor as soon as possible.