Key takeaways

  • Common side effects of the Shingrix vaccine include injection site reactions, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain.
  • Mild side effects such as shivering, fever, nausea, and diarrhea are common and usually temporary. Serious side effects like Guillain-Barré syndrome or severe allergic reaction are rare but require immediate medical attention.
  • The frequency and intensity of some side effects, such as headache, shivering, muscle pain, and fatigue, may be more noticeable after the second dose of the Shingrix vaccine.

Shingrix vaccine is used to prevent shingles in adults who are:

  • ages 50 years and older
  • ages 18 years and older with a higher risk of shingles due to certain medical conditions or having medication that suppresses the immune system

Shingrix is given in two doses, a few months apart.

Keep reading to learn about common, mild, and serious side effects that Shingrix can cause.

Shingrix can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult to tolerate.

Shingrix’s commonly reported side effects include:

Mild side effects have been reported with Shingrix. These include:

  • pain, discoloration, or swelling at the injection site
  • fatigue
  • headache
  • shivering
  • fever
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain
  • muscle pain (see the “Side effects explained” section for more details)

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Shingrix may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

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While rare, the following serious side effects have been reported with Shingrix:

To learn more about these side effects, see the “Side effects explained” section.

If you develop serious side effects from Shingrix, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Note: If you’d like to report a side effect you’ve had with Shingrix, you can do so through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) website or by calling 800-822-7967. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) receive reports made to VAERS.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Shingrix can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you swallow, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Shingrix, they’ll decide whether you should receive your second dose.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Shingrix, you may need to skip your second dose.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about side effects of Shingrix.

How long do Shingrix side effects last? Can they last longer than a week?

Most side effects of Shingrix usually last about 2 to 3 days. But some side effects may last as long as 5 days or more than a week.

If you’re concerned about how long side effects of Shingrix last, talk with your doctor.

How soon do side effects start after receiving the Shingrix vaccine?

Side effects can start as soon as you receive your Shingrix dose. While they won’t happen to everyone, pain, discoloration, and swelling at the injection site can appear right away. But these are short-term side effects that usually last 2 or 3 days.

Some side effects may occur later. In studies of Shingrix, the following side effects were reported up to 30 days after getting a dose:

If you’re concerned about how soon side effects can start with Shingrix, talk with your doctor. They can help you prepare for immediate side effects and manage any that happen later.

Are the side effects of the second dose of Shingrix similar to those seen with the first dose?

You’ll usually get two doses of Shingrix, which are given a few months apart. The side effects of the second dose of Shingrix are similar to those seen with the first dose. But some side effects may happen more often with the second dose. These include:

  • headache
  • shivering
  • muscle pain
  • fatigue

Some people may have different experiences with the first and second doses of Shingrix. If you’re concerned about side effects with the second dose of Shingrix, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects Shingrix may cause.

Guillain-Barré syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a very rare side effect of some vaccinations, including Shingrix. With GBS, your immune system attacks your peripheral nervous system. (These are nerves that branch out of the brain and spinal cord.)

In Shingrix studies, people developed GBS up to 42 days after receiving the vaccine. Symptoms of GBS include mild weakness to severe paralysis that affects your ability to breathe on your own.

Doctors cannot predict who will have GBS after a vaccine. Having had GBS in the past doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have it again with the Shingrix vaccine. And if you have GBS with your first dose of Shingrix, you can still receive your second dose.

What might help

If you experience weakness after receiving Shingrix, talk with your doctor. Most people recover from GBS, even severe forms of the disease. However, GBS can become life threatening. If you’ve had GBS in the past, tell your doctor. They may still recommend the vaccine, but can discuss any concerns you may have.

Muscle pain

People may have muscle pain where they receive their vaccine. This is a local side effect. But another common side effect is myalgia, which is general muscle pain. In Shingrix studies, this side effect was usually mild.

What might help

If you’re concerned about muscle pain and how long it will last after receiving Shingrix, talk with your doctor. They may recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen). Their recommendation for which pain reliever is best for you depends on your other medical conditions and any other medications you’re taking.

Having muscle pain from your first dose doesn’t predict whether you’ll have muscle pain after your second dose. Before receiving your second dose, ask your doctor what you can do to help prevent muscle pain. For example, they may recommend taking a pain reliever before you receive the vaccine to help manage muscle pain.

Fainting

Some people may faint when they receive a vaccination, including the Shingrix vaccine. Right before fainting, some people experience trouble seeing, seizure-like movements of the arms or legs, and burning or stinging of the skin. In some cases, fainting can cause a head injury, which may be serious.

What might help

Tell your doctor if you have a history of fainting after receiving a vaccination. Your doctor will tell you whether the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the possible side effects. If you still need to receive Shingrix, your doctor will make sure procedures are in place to prevent an injury from fainting.

Before getting Shingrix, discuss your health history with your doctor. Shingrix may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • reaction to a vaccine in the past, such as fainting
  • allergic reaction
  • alcohol consumption
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.