Shingles Vaccine After 50: Who Needs It, Side Effects and What Medicare Pays
SkinArticleThe two-dose recombinant shingles vaccine is recommended for adults 50 and older, even if you've had shingles or an older shingles shot. Here is how well it works, what the side effects feel like and how coverage works.
In this article
About 1 in 3 people in the U.S. will get shingles, and the risk rises with age.1 Shingles can leave behind postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), nerve pain that can last months or years after the rash heals.1 The recombinant shingles vaccine prevents most cases. Here is what to expect.
Who should get it
- Adults 50 and older: 2 doses, 2 to 6 months apart.
- Adults 19 and older with weakened immune systems: 2 doses.
There’s no upper age limit. Get it even if you’ve already had shingles, had the older shingles vaccine, or had the chickenpox vaccine. You don’t need to remember having chickenpox.1
Wait if you currently have shingles, are pregnant or have a moderate to severe illness. Don’t get it if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or an ingredient.1
How well it works
In adults with healthy immune systems:1
| Age | Prevents shingles | Prevents PHN |
|---|---|---|
| 50 to 69 | 97% | 91% (ages 50+) |
| 70 and older | 91% | 89% |
For people with weakened immune systems, protection ranged from 68% to 91%. In people 70 and older, protection stayed high for at least 7 years.1
What the side effects feel like
The vaccine triggers a strong immune response. Common effects include a sore, red or swollen arm, tiredness, muscle aches, headache, shivering, fever, stomach pain and nausea. They usually last 2 to 3 days and may keep you from normal activities.1
Plan ahead: schedule your shot before a quiet day or two. Get the second dose even if the first made you feel rough.1 Ask your pharmacist about over-the-counter pain relievers.1
Guillain-Barré syndrome, a serious nerve disorder, has been reported very rarely after the vaccine. Shingles itself also slightly raises that risk.1
Paying for it
- Medicare Part D: since 2023, you pay nothing out of pocket for the shingles vaccine.1 Ask the pharmacy to bill it to your Part D plan.
- Medicaid: coverage varies.1
- Private insurance: many plans cover it, but there may be a cost.1
- No insurance: the manufacturer may offer a vaccine assistance program.1
You can get it at doctor’s offices and pharmacies.1
If you think you have shingles
A painful rash on one side of the body needs prompt attention. Our guide to reasons to get prompt care for shingles explains why timing matters.
Try: “I’m 58 and had shingles a few years ago. Should I still get the vaccine, and when would be best around my other medicines?”
Skin, Head to Toe includes a short-shelf planner and a 12-week SkinLog. Use them to note vaccine dates, any reactions and skin changes to share at your next appointment. See the book.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It isn't a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your health history. Please don't ignore professional advice or delay getting care because of something you read here. If you develop a painful, blistering rash on one side of your body, contact a clinician quickly, since early treatment matters. Seek emergency care for signs of a severe allergic reaction after any vaccine. If you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. This article discusses a vaccine and public health guidance. Girl Playbook does not endorse any specific product, test, or provider.
Girl Playbook sells this book. It provides education and worksheets, not individualized medical care.
Sources
The research behind this article, in the order it’s cited. How we source our articles.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025Shingles Vaccination (opens in a new tab)abcdefghijklmnopq
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