The shingles vaccine may result in serious adverse health consequences, according to plaintiffs in Zostavax side effects lawsuits.

For years, numerous recipients of the Zostavax vaccine have reported debilitating side effects after getting the shot, which received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006. It’s a live vaccine, which means it contains a weakened version of the virus. Some who have been inoculated with Zostavax claim it caused a variety of side effects, such as hearing loss, necrotizing retinitis and vision loss, Bell’s Palsy, encephalitis, neurological disorders, paralysis, pain, redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site.

Additionally, a 2016 finding by the University of Missouri-Columbia indicates that patients with a history of eye inflammation may be at additional risk of Zostavax side effects. According to researchers, keratitis, a type of inflammation in the front of the eye, may occur in rare cases after the Zostavax shingles vaccine has been administered. Keratitis may result in serious eye complications or even permanent vision damage if it is left untreated.

Those who have previously experienced keratitis or other eye inflammation conditions may be more likely to develop this potential side effect.

How Long Do Shingles Vaccine Side Effects Last?

A percentage of people who have experienced adverse shingles vaccine side effects claim that they are permanent. Reports indicate that some side effects may dissipate over time, while others may result in long-term pain or disability. For example, Bell’s Palsy caused by Zostavax may last for weeks or months before disappearing, while vision loss caused by the vaccine may be permanent.

In addition to Zostavax’s serious side effects, The Daily Beast has reported that the vaccine is only about 51% effective at preventing the shingles rash and 67% effective in staving off post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), “a sharp, unrelenting, burning pain” that can linger for weeks or months after the rash has cleared.

People in their 60s have shown the best response to the vaccine, with a 64% effectiveness rate, but it decreases with age, according to The Daily Beast, with those age 80 and older seeing only about an 18% effectiveness rate.

What is the Shingles Vaccine?

The Zostavax vaccine is meant to protect older people from developing a painful viral condition called shingles. Shingles is caused by varicella-zoster, the same virus that also causes chickenpox. While chickenpox commonly occurs in children, shingles generally occur in those 60 and older.

Only people who have had chickenpox can develop shingles. While the chickenpox virus may stop presenting symptoms, it never leaves the body. Instead, it lies dormant for years or even decades. Factors including age, stress, and immune disorders may activate the dormant virus, causing shingles.

Similar to chickenpox, shingles generally presents as a painful, blistering rash. The rash often occurs on the torso, although it may spread to other parts of the body. In addition to a rash, patients may experience symptoms such as a burning sensation, itching, fever, headache, skin sensitivity, and fatigue. Shingles may be painful and lead to complications, especially if the rash occurs on the face, or if you have a weakened immune system due to medications, cancer, or other medical conditions.

Complications of shingles may include nerve pain, vision loss, neurological problems, or skin infections. Because of the associated pain and discomfort of shingles, it’s recommended that most people over age 60 get the shingles vaccine. However, the vaccine may come with its own set of side effects.

A woman who received a Zostavax vaccination claims that it may also cause strokes. Pamela C. of Ohio claims she suffered a stroke four months after receiving the Zostavax vaccine. Pam, who is in her 60s, claims that she was not warned about this potentially dangerous shingles vaccine side effect.

A new shingles vaccine called Shingrix was approved in 2017, however, shortages of the vaccine have forced many seniors to continue to get Zostavax instead. Shingrix is believed to be more effective than Zostavax and may cause fewer serious side effects. However, the manufacturer of Shingrix has not been able to keep up with the demand, resulting in shortages. A woman who spoke to New Hampshire publication Valley News reported being placed on a waiting list for several weeks before she was able to get vaccinated. Others have reported being forced to contact multiple medical centers in search of the newer vaccine.

If you have suffered shingles vaccine side effects from Zostavax, you may be eligible to hire a qualified attorney and file a class action lawsuit against the vaccine manufacturer. People who pursue litigation due to Zostavax vaccine injuries may be able to collect compensation for injuries, medical expenses, disability, pain and suffering, and more.