Can the shingles vaccine cause a genital herpes outbreak?

I had my first Shingrix shot in August of 2019. No side effects. My second shot came in mid November 2019. Within three days I got a rash on my genitals. After seeing my doctor and lab work I was diagnosed with type 1 and 2 HSV. I had never had any rash on my genitals before. I am not saying I got HSV from Shingrix, but I have constant outbreaks for over two months with no relief. The rash continues today. No coincidence.

I had an outbreak within 2 1/2 hours and then 4 more Over the next 3 days

I’m on this site because I have a patch on one buttock from a toilet seat. Haven’t had an outbreak in 20 years. Got the second shingles vaccine last week, and I have one now. I wondered if there might be an association. Interesting that others had the same experience.

I’ve had genital herpes since my 20’s (I’m now in my 60’s). My doctor has been pushing the newer version of the Shingles vaccination on me for a few years. I was hesitant but now, thanks to everyone who has posted about their reactions on this page, I’ve decided not to get the vaccine. I’m already on a daily dose of valacyclovir, which might or might not inhibit a possible outbreak. Everyone has to make their own decision and I respect all the voices on this post. But I’m not going to take any chances. It’s just too painful. Thanks!

After a vaccine on Monday afternoon a nasty genital outbreak occurred on Friday morning. Had not had one like this in years. I don’t find it coincidental .

I received the shingles vaccine on Friday at 3.00pm and by 5.00 had a full blown herpes attack on my lower back. I can’t believe this is a Coincidence . I also have a painful rash at injection site and feel awful.
I asked the pharmacist before receiving the shot if I should start a course of valtrex immediately and was told that there was no risk of an outbreak so not to bother. There should be a warning under side effects that this could happen.

I have had the same situation and would love an answer.

I had 5 or 6 outbreaks after the first injection for shingles, and that was after years of just one mild outbreak a year. These outbreaks were very painful and I was already on suppressive therapy. I spoke with my doctor and she explained that most vaccines lower your immunity and that was much more likely the cause so for 2nd injection she had me start acyclovir a week in advance and had me stay in it for another 7 days, I did have one outbreak but treated with more acyclovir and have been fine. I stopped suppressive therapy after reading hair loss can be a side effect of the drug and was having issues with that too.

I’m 60 years old and my arm was swollen, red and hurt for a few days but I didn’t have a temperature. After the vaccine I had the first breakout but didn’t think that was what it was until I had another breakout last week and today I remembered that one of the questions on the form I signed, ask if I had herpes. So I started researching... I believe the first vaccine caused the breakouts and now I’m unsure if I should get the booster because it may make it worse or it could as others have said cause no more breakouts.
I also read during my research that 65% of the population have the virus but some have never had symptoms. In addition, I didn’t realize that Epstine Bar Virus is a herpes virus and I had EBV in my early 20s.
Some agency and/or pharmaceutical company knows that this can happen; hence the question on the form I signed before the vaccine.
The public should be informed before taking the shot that it may cause herpes breakout.

I had my very first herpes outbreak right after I received the shingles injection a year and a half ago. I have had 2 more outbreaks since then. I have been married for over 30 years ... faithful in marriage. My husband and I were both in shock. He questioned if my shingles injection could have triggered the outbreak. I found this site and based on so many of the responses, find it very suspicious. Yes, I definitely think the shingles injection caused my initial, and subsequent outbreaks.

Hi All. Just got the first shot - Shingrix vaccine, at the VA. HOPE and PRAY did the right thing. I got HV2 50 years ago while a dumb young kid in Vietnam. I struggled and suffered for years with outbreaks. The wife and I are very careful. Nothing helped until I got on Famciclovir (500mg/day). Completely outbreak free for 10+ years. Would not get the first vaccine, because was told I would have to stop Famvir, and it was a live virus. Have known people with Shingles, and did not want to get this condition.

@artsyrsc - Not coincidence, the shingles vaccine contains an altered (weakened) form of the shingles virus, which induces hard working White Blood cells to create an immune response in the body, resulting in antibodies. This hard work requires a lot of energy, resulting in a temporary weakened state of your body. It is this weakened state that the Herpes Virus thrives in. When the body is weak the Herpes virus replicates at a higher rate, thus outbreak! God bless, I hope soon you will regain your strength and have a greater resistance to both viruses!

I had the booster vaccine a couple weeks ago and had a very short outbreak the next day. Then I had a 101 temp and felt achey and run down. I do not recall the first shot doing any of that.

Of course the shingles vaccine initiated the genital herpes outbreak. The headache and feeling rundown is caused by your immune system (white blood cells) attacking the shingles vaccine. That's the whole point of vaccines, to create a strong response that will in turn hopefully force the body to create anti-bodies. The trade off for obtaining anti-bodies is a temporary weakening in your body, and this is exactly the environment (condition) that the HERPES virus prospers! The Herpes virus has an affinity to multiple aggressively when immunity is at it's weakest! This is a direct correlation between Herpes outbreak intensity and weakness in the body's immunity!