Shingles Vaccine, Zostavax Side Effects

The shingles vaccine, Zostavax, is used by people over 50 who wish to prevent the occurrence of shingles. However, it is associated with shingles vaccine side effects and the CDC now recommends that adults wanting the vaccine should be 60 years and older. In addition to only being effective in about 51 percent of people, the vaccine may cause side effects in some people of a reportedly life-threatening nature.

The National Vaccine Information Center (NCIV) has reported that Zosatvax may also be linked with death. According to information posted on their website “Using the MedAlerts search engine, as of September 1, 2015 there had been 1,141 serious adverse events reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) in connection with shingles containing vaccines since 1990. Over 33% of those serious shingles vaccine-related adverse events occurring in seniors 65-75 years of age. Of these shingles vaccine-related adverse event reports to VAERS, 90 were deaths, with 40% of the deaths occurring in seniors over 70 years of age.”

Manufactured by Merck and approved by the FDA in 2006, Zosatvax, contains live varicella zoster virus, which is the virus that causes Chicken Pox and Shingles. It is the only live virus vaccine for Shingles currently available. It is associated with a range of side effects, including injection site reactions (pain, redness, itching, swelling, warmth, bruising), headache, diarrhea, joint or muscle pain, or skin rash.

The shingles vaccine, Zostavax, can also cause shingles, and chickenpox. In August 2014, the FDA instructed Merck to add "shingles" to the side effects shown as warnings for Zostavax vaccine.

Shingles is characterized by a painful skin rash, which tingles, and blisters. It typically appears on one side of the body at a time. The rash can last for up to thirty days. While Shingles largely effects the elderly, younger people can also get it. One out of every five people who get shingles end up with nerve pain that can last months, and even years.

Shingles Vaccine, Zostavax Side Effects Legal Help

If you or a loved one has suffered similar damages or injuries, please fill in our form and your complaint will be sent to a lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.
Last updated on Mar-14-17