Zostavax Side Effects

Generic name: zoster vaccine live

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 3, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Zostavax Side Effects associated with zoster vaccine live. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Zostavax.

Applies to zoster vaccine live: subcutaneous powder for injection.

You should not receive a second zoster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. If you ever need to receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with shingles is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• fever, swollen glands, sore throat, flu symptoms;

• breathing problems; or

• severe or painful skin rash.

Common side effects include:

• headache; or

• pain, warmth, redness, bruising, itching, or swelling where the shot was given.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For healthcare professionals

Applies to zoster vaccine live: subcutaneous powder for injection.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were headache and injection site reactions.^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Injection site pain (up to 53.9%), injection site erythema (48.1%), injection site swelling (40.4%), pruritus (11.3%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Warmth, hematoma, induration
• Postmarketing reports: Injection site rash, injection site urticaria, transient injection site lymphadenopathy^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, asthenia^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Death, fever, asthenia^[Ref]

The most common reported cause of death was cardiovascular disease (10 in the vaccine group, 8 in the placebo group). The overall incidence of death occurring at any time during the study was similar between groups: 793 deaths (4.1%) in the vaccine group and 795 deaths (4.1%) in the placebo group.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Congestive heart failure or pulmonary edema^[Ref]

Congestive heart failure or pulmonary edema occurred in 1.5% of patients receiving the vaccine versus 1.2% of patients receiving placebo in the AE monitoring substudy.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Respiratory infection, flu syndrome, rhinitis, respiratory disorder
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Asthma exacerbation^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea
• Postmarketing reports: Nausea^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Skin disorder
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Non-injection site varicella-type rash, non-injection site zoster-like rash
• Postmarketing reports: Rash^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Pain in extremity
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Postmarketing reports: Arthralgia, myalgia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylactic reaction
• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Varicella
• Postmarketing reports: Herpes zoster (vaccine strain)^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Lymphadenopathy^[Ref]

Ocular

• Postmarketing reports: Necrotizing retinitis (patients on immunosuppressive therapy)^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• Shingrix vs Zostavax - What's the difference between them?
• What are the most common skin conditions? (with photos)

Further information

Zostavax side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer