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2.5 Overall Rating

Effectiveness

Ease of Use

Satisfaction

Most voted positive review

67 People found this comment helpful

Painless injection. No affects after several hours after the injection.

Most voted negative review

4 People found this comment helpful

About two years after taking the vaccine, I contracted genital herpes from my husband, who has had type 1 herpes most of his life. We've been married 40 years, and I never caught it until after taking the vaccine--coincidence? I don't know. The herpes is very virulent, with active symptoms lasting about a year and a half so far, docs can't help, it's resistant to all the anti-virals I've taken.

Shared reviews and ratings

Chandon | 45-54 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
11/1/2019
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I got my first shot yeaterday. I was told only that my arm would be sore for about a week. It hurt a little the first night. But! The worst part was the feeling like I've got the flu. After reading the reviews and all the bad side effects I think I'll skip the second shot and take my chances.

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Scott | 55-64 | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
7/31/2019
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I am a 55yo healthy male. The first dose just made my arm ache horribly. I received the second dose three days ago. Yesterday I ached EVERYWHERE!! I was so weak I could barely stand up. I felt as though I had the flu. Today I am better but still recovering. If this prevents Shingles it will be worth it. But be aware that if you get the vaccine you could become quite sick with flu like symptoms.

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Pam512 | 65-74 | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
8/6/2018
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I got the first shot in May. I had chills and a fever for two days. I never got my appetite back. Got the 2nd shot on Friday. Spent all day Saturday trying to throw up food I had not eaten. It's Monday and I still feel awful. I have never had any kind of side effect from anything, so I am not happy with this drug.

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AKielhurn | 55-64 | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
5/13/2018
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Never had any childhood diseases, and broke out with massive shingles after having shot 3 yrs ago. Under inhumane stress, but shingles almost killed me. All over my chest, my back, and down my left arm to my hand. Nobody can answer why I got it - other than stress. Though, I HAVE NEVER HAD CHICKEN POX. They say the virus lived in me, but I just never broke out. I say- nobody knows what they're talking about. Shingles is a mystery to all Dr.s I do not fit the profile, but got the worst case my medical facility has ever profiled. Trust me, get all shots possible but do not trust any answers. They just don't know anything!!! Now I'm disabled with post neuropathy and I am furious. Shingles needs to be talked about more and more. This is a pain I've never imagined in my life, and I've been through it all.Read More Read Less

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HS | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
8/11/2017
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I developed not very serious shingle symptoms after the shot. However my vision deteriorated after 4 weeks and I need glasses now. I also experience muscle pain in the right upper leg since the shot. Recommendation: Think twice before getting the shot.

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alex | 45-54 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
11/30/2016
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I am (was until recently) a 54 y/o healthy man and my doc recommended the "Shingles vaccination". I did a brief research and found that the side effects reported as mild. Got it 16 days ago into the upper left arm. The following 5 days were perfect - no rash no pain, and I completely forgot about the vaccine. On day 6 I developed severe pulsating headache, nausea, constantly elevated blood pressure, and pain/tightness in the heart. It's been 10 days since this started and it still does not go away. I feel sick all the time. I went to MD, asked for help and complained about the vaccine - but she ruled out the connection and insisted that it's been just a coincidence (that turned a healthy man into a wreck). Unfortunately, I didn't do a proper research on the vaccine side effects, and as a result, I am suffering now. I believe that this HORRIBLE vaccine just harms people and should be prohibited. Whoever is reading this and still undecided, think twice before jeopardize your health by getting this vaccine. Read More Read Less

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alanbiochem | 75 or over | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/26/2016
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Severe headache for 4 weeks sent for a CT scan Diarhea for 1 week. Very unpleasant side effects

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Notoshingleshot! | 55-64 | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
11/15/2016
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Two years after the injection I got the worst case of shingles my doctor had seen. Two years later, I still have PHN. Just say no and chance it.....because of the vaccine, I didn't get typical symptoms until it was too late to give me antiviral. I was out of work for over three months!

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betterhalf | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
11/2/2016
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

First of all, I am writing this review only 6 days after injection. I am reviewing the shot and it's side effects only, as I have no idea yet if it will prevent shingles for me. I had a fairly bad reaction to the vaccine after comparing my symptoms to others listed here. My entire upper arm swelled, was hot, beet red, bumpy, very sore and itched like hell. Benadryl cream helps ALOT. I also had some bad headaches,my joints hurt and I felt nauseated for 5 days, although I never vomited. In short, a miserable experience. However here I am in day 6, and I feel back to normal except for a vague headache. Nowhere in the info on this drug does it tell you how long injection symptoms last, so I'm here to tell you mine only lasted 5 days. I wish the Pharmacist would have given me a little heads up about what I might experience, but I understand why they don't. All in all, if this vaccine prevents shingles, I'll happily sacrifice 5 days of feeling not great. I also want to add that I got the vaccine voluntarily as a precaution for a skin treatment that can cause a shingles outbreak. I will review again in early 2017 and let you know if it worked.Read More Read Less

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Cathy | 55-64 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
10/29/2016
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Two days after receiving Zostavax had moderate to severe abdominal pain then shaking chills. Chills were gone by a.m., but four days later still have abdominal pain on right side which seems to be lessening every 24 hours (I hope). No problem with injection site.

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Anonymous | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
9/24/2016
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Yesterday I received the shingles vaccine. I read the information about the side effects and was not too concerned, especially when Merck states that mild side effects occur in less than 1% of the study. So here I am today with a large rash on my arm wondering what is going to happen next after reading this website. Sounds like more than 1% have side effects.

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Carol | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
8/22/2016
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Received the shingles vaccine on Friday, 8/19/16 at 10am. That afternoon I started have stomach cramps/intestinal cramps like I had eaten something that disagreed with me. These continued on and off for another day. On Sunday, 2 days post vaccine, I noticed the injection site was red and warm and the redness spread to about 4 inches around the site. I have mine flu-like symptoms, including I think I am running a mild fever and I feel very tired. Stomach upset seems to be gone now.

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puzzled | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
8/7/2016
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

When I received this vaccine in 2011, my MD said inquire if Merck thinks Zostavax Shingles vaccine is good for a lifetime or only 5 yrs. In February 2016, I called Merck (800-622-4477). Was told the vaccine's efficacy after 4 yrs is unproved; the value of revaccination (boosters) is unproved. I asked if there was info on whether patients were getting revaccinated, and was told no. I would like to think the mfr. had better data and clear recommendations on boosters to offer patients. Any ideas? Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 55-64 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
7/26/2016
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had the vaccine on Thursday, 6/21/16. On Sunday my face was showing a slight rash. I had used a face cream Saturday night and I thought that was what the rash was from. But then I noticed yesterday that my forehead was not broke out. The only thing I could figure out it was the vaccine. I went online and asked for the side effects of the Shingles Vaccine. You see my face had gotten worse. Last night I found out that the rash and swelling were serious side effects listed. Went to my Doctors office today and they said all I could do was take Benadryl. I am so swelled up I can see my cheeks without looking in a mirror. My advice it to research it before taking it. I hope and pray this doesn't last long! Read More Read Less

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TxLady | 55-64 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
5/25/2016
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I received the vaccine and by that afternoon developed a red rash and lump at the injection site. It was mildly painful and hot but otherwise didn't interfere with my normal activities. I did develop headaches for the next two days that were pretty significant as I very rarely get them. I assumed it was a mild reaction to the vaccine. The hot lump with a red ring remained on my arm for several days. Then on the third day I developed a fever blister on my lip which I never get unless I lack a full night's sleep or am sick (neither the case here). I'm treating the fever blister with Abreva which has worked well for me in the past. If my arm improves soon and this fever blister resolves with no others, I'd say it was worth the protection the vaccine offers. My doctor did say it only prevents getting shingles in about 70% of people or so but if you do get them it may be a milder case. The odds seemed worth it to me. But I was a bit surprised by what I am sure are reactions to the injection.Read More Read Less

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Toosoreforsoccer | 55-64 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
1/7/2016
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 1.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I took the shingles vaccine at my doctor's suggestion because I had chicken pox as a child. I am 58 years old. I was injuected mid december 2015 and was not surprised to experience soreness and redness for the first few days after that. Now we are at 3.5 weeks and for the last week or two the pain has become steadily worse at my injection site. Tonight I am almost at the point of going to the emergency department because this pain is worse than any I have ever known. It feels like someone has taken a baseball bat to my arm. I also developed severe knee pain about a week ago while walking my dog. My knee blew up and has been red and sore for no apparent reason ever since. I cannot walk easily on it and am in great pain there too which may or may not be related.Read More Read Less

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kevin | 55-64 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
10/27/2015
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Ominous Foreboding!!! I just took the shot 36 hours ago.. Now the injection site is itchy and swollen and it feels like I have an abscess in my right arm about the size of a pancake. I wish i had googled this site before I got the shot. Now I wait for what may come..........

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Anonymous | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
10/20/2015
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Received the vaccination on Tuesday, Oct. 13th, felt a pressure right away in my head. I didn't feel well the rest of the day. Next day, I woke up vomiting, I had the severe dry heaves. I thought I was coming down with the flu. Four days later I developed the fluid filled rash on the right side of my neck, shoulder and into the back of my head. I went to the doctor, and she told me I had the shingles. She put me on Valacyclovir, to use 3 times a day for 7 days. I would NEVER recommend this vaccination to anyone, after reading what others have suffered using this vaccine too.Read More Read Less

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Blondsluck | 65-74 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
7/24/2015
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

My dr. encouraged me to get this vaccine. I AM SO SORRY I did it. First came the pain, numbness and tingling in my hands, then the splitting and cracking fissures on my hands, topped off by plaque psoriasis. I have never had nor had anyone in family have psoriasis but I have it now. Currently, the bottoms of my feet are sore and cracking and it's painful to walk. I used to do all sorts of things, but with my hands and feet they way they are it's even difficult to pick up a pencil.

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ciscomomma | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
5/25/2015
Condition: Prevention of Shingles
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

The site became red and sore, as can be expected, but those faded over time and other than that there are no ill effects.

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