More serious side effects can include difficulty breathing, chills, fever, skin rash, sore throat, flu-like symptoms or weakness. Any of these side effects should be reported to your physician immediately for possible treatment. Drug interactions are also possible with the Zostavax vaccine so be sure to communicate all medications, both over the counter, prescription and herbal that you may be taking at the time of the vaccination.

However, using the vaccine is contra-indicated (not indicated) in women, who are pregnant, have compromised immune systems, certain types of cancer or have allergies to gelatin or neomycin.

People who have had the Zostavax vaccine will shed the herpes zoster virus for a short period of time after the injection. It is important to confirm with your physician when you might be safe to be around people who have a compromised immune system or women who are pregnant. If either of these groups contracts the disease from a person who received the vaccination the results can be devastating to the health of the individual or the unborn baby.

Before accepting the shingles vaccination communicate with your physician about any negative effects you may have had with the chicken pox or any past allergic response you had to a vaccination. This vaccination is given once without any need for a booster shot and protects for the remainder of the individual’s life.

The Zostavax vaccine is available by prescription and at the physician office only. Although it provides a great way to prevent shingles and the neurological complications that often result the vaccine should be taken only after evaluating the benefits versus the risk and with the knowledge that there must be a period of time that spreading the virus can prove to be fatal, even though you may not feel sick.

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