N
Common Ground News

Is Shingrix safe for transplant patients?

Author

Matthew Cannon

Updated on March 07, 2026

Is Shingrix safe for transplant patients?

The HZ Subunit Vaccine (HZ/su, Shingrix®)

Subunit vaccines can provoke a strong immune response, while being a safe vaccine for transplant patients, because they avoid the risk of disease caused by replication of the vaccine virus (86).

Just so, can transplant patients get Shingrix?

Those participants who have been transplanted by 16 months, may be given a 3rd dose of Shingrix. Detailed Description: Herpes Zoster (HZ) is a common complication of kidney transplant because of the immune suppressive drugs necessary to prepare the recipient for the transplanted organ and to protect it from rejection.

Subsequently, question is, can Shingrix be given to immunocompromised patients? A: While Shingrix is not contraindicated in immunocompromised persons, it is not recommended by ACIP at this time.

Beside this, is Shingrix safe for kidney transplant patients?

Because the Shingrix vaccine is not a live vaccine, it is thought to be safe. It is licensed for immunocompromised people, like your son, but transplant recipients were not included in the published trials.

Can I be around babies after Shingrix vaccine?

It is safe to be around infants and young children, pregnant women, or people with weakened immune systems after you get the shingles vaccine. There is no documentation of a person getting chickenpox from someone who has received the shingles vaccine (which contains varicella zoster virus).

Can transplant patients get vaccines?

Most vaccines appear to be safe in solid-organ transplantation recipients, but live vaccines should be avoided until further studies are available. The risk of rejection appears minimal. Recommended vaccines include pneumovax, hepatitis A and B, influenza, and tetanus-diphtheria.

Is Shingrix a live vaccine?

A new shingles vaccine (Shingrix) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2017. The new vaccine is inactivated, meaning it uses a dead version of the virus, eliminating the risk of transmission.

How many years does Shingrix last?

The research, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, shows that Shingrix offers protection for up to four years, but Professor Cunningham believes it will last much longer. "The second dose of the vaccine is important to ensure long-term protection," Professor Cunningham said.

What happens if you don't get second Shingrix shot?

If you do not receive your second Shingrix dose within the 2–6 month window after your first dose, you do not need to restart the series. You should receive the second dose as close to this timeframe as possible. For optimal vaccine protection, it is important that you complete the vaccine series.

How far apart can Shingrix be given?

Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine) should be administered to adults age 50 years and older as a two-dose series (0.5 ml each), 2 to 6 months apart (0, 2-6 months). If more than 6 months have elapsed since the first dose of Shingrix, you should administer the second dose as soon as possible.

Which is better Shingrix or zostavax?

Is Shingrix THAT much better than Zostavax? Yes. Shingrix is 97% effective at preventing herpes zoster (shingles) in folks over 50 whereas the Zostavax shot is 50-64% effective in preventing shingles in those 50-70 and even lower for those over 70. Shingrix also stays effective for longer.

Is second Shingrix shot worse than first?

Dear J.G.: Compared with the previous one-time vaccine Zostavax, the new two-dose Shingrix vaccine is much more effective. However, it does have a higher risk of side effects. You have had the most common side effect, though only 10 percent of people will have symptoms as bad as yours.

Are the two doses of Shingrix the same?

SHINGRIX is given as a 2-dose series, with the second shot administered 2 to 6 months after the first shot. It's important to receive both shots of SHINGRIX. If you've already had your first dose, sign up for voice, email, and text reminders for your second dose.

How soon after shingles can Shingrix be given?

Shingrix® (shingles vaccine) is recommended for adults 50 years of age or older at least one year after a case of shingles. The vaccine should not be given to those who currently have shingles; immunization may be considered at least one year after having shingles.

Can fluzone and Shingrix be given together?

During clinical studies, patients could receive the inactivated influenza vaccine up to 8 days before each Shingrix dose or at least 14 days after the vaccine. The influenza vaccine did not affect the immune response. The influenza vaccine can be administered on the same day as Shingrix as separate injections.

Can you drink alcohol after Shingrix vaccine?

Shingles shot (Shingrix)

Shingrix and alcohol do not interact.