zoster vaccine live Health Article

Generic name(s):

zoster vaccine live

Brand name(s):

Zostavax

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.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving zoster vaccine live?

You should not receive this vaccine if you have:

• active untreated tuberculosis;

• leukemia, lymphoma, or other cancer affecting bone marrow;

• a history of allergic reaction to gelatin or neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab);

• a weak immune system caused by disease (such as HIV or AIDS), or by receiving medications such as steroids or chemotherapy; or

• if you are pregnant.

Before receiving zoster vaccine, tell your doctor if you have:

• a history of allergic reaction to any vaccine; or

• if you have never had chickenpox.

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.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive this vaccine, or you may need to wait until a later time when you are well.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control to prevent pregnancy for at least 3 months after receiving this vaccine. It is not known whether zoster vaccine passes into breast milk, or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Zoster vaccine should not be given to a child.