ZOSTAVAX is a vaccine that can help prevent Shingles in adults 50 years of age or older.

FDA-approved ZOSTAVAX is used to help prevent Shingles in adults 50 years of age or older. Only your doctor can decide if ZOSTAVAX is right for you. ZOSTAVAX cannot be used to treat Shingles, or the nerve pain that may follow Shingles, once you have it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends ZOSTAVAX for appropriate adults 60 and older.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the CDC recommends that appropriate adults 60 years of age and older be vaccinated with ZOSTAVAX to help prevent Shingles.

ZOSTAVAX helps reduce your risk for Shingles.

ZOSTAVAX is given as a single shot. ZOSTAVAX may not protect everyone who gets the vaccine. The vaccine contains a weakened chickenpox virus and works by helping your immune system protect you from getting Shingles.

Tell A Friend

Print This Page

Request More Information

Important Safety Information

  • ZOSTAVAX does not protect everyone, so some people who get the vaccine may still get Shingles.
  • You should not get ZOSTAVAX if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, including gelatin or neomycin, have a weakened immune system, take high doses of steroids, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not get ZOSTAVAX to prevent chickenpox.
  • Talk to your health care provider if you plan to get ZOSTAVAX at the same time as PNEUMOVAX®23 (Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent) because it may be better to get these vaccines at least 4 weeks apart.
  • Possible side effects include redness, pain, itching, swelling, hard lump, warmth, or bruising at the injection site, as well as headache.
  • ZOSTAVAX contains a weakened chickenpox virus. Tell your health care provider if you will be in close contact with newborn infants, someone who may be pregnant and has not had chickenpox or been vaccinated against chickenpox, or someone who has problems with their immune system. Your health care provider can tell you what situations you may need to avoid.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please read the Patient Product Information or Prescribing Information and discuss it with your doctor or health care provider.




To view PDF documents, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.