What is the most important information I should know about zoster vaccine live?
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. If you have tuberculosis, or any
other severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving
this vaccine.
You should not receive a booster 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 shot caused any
side effects.
Becoming infected with herpes zoster (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.
Do not receive this vaccine if you have
leukemia or
lymphoma (or other
cancer
affecting bone marrow), a history of allergic reaction to
neomycin (Mycifradin,
Neo-Fradin,
Neo-Tab). You should not receive this vaccine if you are
pregnant, or if you have active
untreated tuberculosis, any type of cancer that affects bone marrow, or a weak
immune system
caused by disease (such as HIV or AIDS) or by receiving medications such as steroids or
chemotherapy.
What is zoster vaccine live?
Herpes zoster is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox in children. When this
virus becomes active again in an adult, it can cause herpes zoster, or shingles. Zoster vaccine is a
live vaccine that helps prevent shingles.
This vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which causes the body to
develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already
developed in the body.
Zoster vaccine is used to prevent herpes zoster virus (shingles) in
people age 60 and older.
Zoster vaccine will not treat shingles or nerve pain caused by shingles
(post-herpetic neuralgia).
Zoster vaccine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
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