Shingrix and Flu-Like Symptoms: What Users Say (Page 4)

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2018

"Had my first dose one week ago at my doctor’s office. They played down side effects vs. risk. The injection site felt like I was punched in the arm and was very sore for 5 days. Extreme fatigue every day. Now at day 7 with flu-like symptoms, aching, chills, headache, more fatigue, and tingling scalp. Depending on how long this lasts, the jury is still out on shot #2. I have traveled extensively throughout the world and had many inoculations for third world travel. Never before had a side effect. Otherwise, a very healthy 62-year-old woman."

• Aan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "My first dose of injection, and the pharmacist said to stay hydrated. I went to bed as normal and woke with a headache and nausea. Took Tylenol and ate yogurt for breakfast and headed to work. The headache diminished for an hour or so, and the uncontrollable shivering started. I had to leave work as the combination of headache, nausea, and shivering made it impossible to do my job. At home, I went to bed and drank a lot of water, and the symptoms were flu-like. I dread the second shot, but will be better prepared."

• Lea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Had an outbreak of shingles 3/12/19, NP diagnosed as contact dermatitis even though as RN I knew it was shingles. 3 days later, visited 2nd NP with dx of shingles. Treatment with antiviral. Awful week afterward. MD gave another round of antiviral, pain med. 3 months later, residual nerve pain in left little finger. Took first shingles injection. Now, a week later, I feel tingling in different areas at times and additional nerve-type pain on the outer aspect of left hand. I don’t think I’ll have the 2nd injection. I have 6 months to consider this, but if these symptoms let up, I’m not tempting fate again. Husband took both and only had flu-like symptoms for about 24 hours each time."

• Mea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "The shot did not hurt much at all. I was waiting for it to hurt, and instead, it was over. Did get pretty sick the next day from the first shot. Flu-like symptoms. Lasted one day. Second shot did not hurt much either, and while I still got some aches and slight fever, not as bad as the first time. Better than shingles."

• Tim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "So far it’s been a two-day disaster. It started 12 hours after the shot. Flu-like symptoms. Body aches. Fatigue. The last 24 hours have been worse. A terrible dizziness set in. Everything is lopsided. I pray it goes away."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had the first Shingrix vaccination 3 months ago and the second last week. Both times within 12 hrs, I was experiencing flu-like symptoms... headache, chills, muscle aches, and slight fever, which then progressed to excessive sweating. These symptoms lasted about 36 hrs. As to the effectiveness, only time will tell. I hope it will prove worth the inconvenience."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had my first injection about 3 months ago and only experienced a sore arm with a red spot for about a week and a half. Got my second injection a few days ago, and besides the sore arm, I had full-on flu symptoms: muscle aches, lethargy, weakness, chills, and fever up to 100 degrees. Still feeling ill after 3 days. If it works to keep me from getting shingles, it's worth it."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2025

"52 yr old male. Shingles vaccine 2nd dose (Shingrix). Day 2 - eyes ached, head ached, flu-like symptoms K.O. Day 3 - K.O. back or kidney pain/aches, more fatigue, headaches, fevery sweats, rash, can’t do much of anything. Day 4 is today - very vivid dreams, when half-asleep I felt I could hear what was happening in the absurdly strong dreams. More head-in-a-vice aches, but the kidney aches are gone. Hope it ends soon. You’re not alone if you’re also having intense audible and visual dreams. Seriously trippy vaccine."

• Owa...
• March 31, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "1st shot in November. Achy, 24-hour mild discomfort, flu-like symptoms. Slept fine. 2nd shot in mid-March. Quite a bit different. Blistering headache, low-grade fever, aching bones and muscles, diarrhea, vomiting, and stayed in bed 30 hours. Had my shot at 10 in the morning, and by bedtime, started to feel crappy. Next morning, bedbound and woke with full side effects. Day 3, headache diminishing, appetite back, still weak but on the mend. Go through the discomfort, way easier than shingles, believe that! Male, 58."

• Mis...
• January 23, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "This vaccine is terrible. Side effects from first shot: fever and flu-like symptoms. Not sure I will take the second one."