User Reviews for ZOSTAVAX (PF) subcutaneous

Not only did not prevent shingles, but I also developed neuralgia.....a year later and still suffering. I would have been better off NOT receiving the vaccine since I didn't have typical symptoms....just excruciating pains in my chest....so too late for anti-viral. Just say NO to the shingles vaccine!!

Got the shot on Thursday afternoon - slight case of diahrea on Fri. but no big deal. Saturday, I start feeling tired and get a slight fever. Sunday the fever goes to 101, sore throat, sore glands, the shot spot is sore and red with a few bumps and I'm down for the count. Monday, sore throat, no energy. Tuesday, sore throat, little energy. Wed. sore throat reappears in the PM along with an ear ache. I was 100% healthy when I got the shot. Now I'm worried I let them shoot something into me that is going to cause me grief and I will have forever. Read More Read Less

For those who just had the injection and expressing their satisfaction, give it time. I would have said the same three years ago.......then I not only developed shingles but PHN......Merck has NO interest in follow up based on their reaction to my call. EXCRUCIATING is an understatement! If that lack of interest, I wonder how they did their studies!!!!!

had vaccine 3days ago. cost $245 here in Australia. No subsidy. Today have shingles on my hand. Confirmed by my doctor. As a nurse I also was positive it was the shingles..blisters, pain, burning sensation. Actually started yesterday..day2. Spreading more today. My dr & pharmacist were shocked. As was I. Wonder how long it will last?

I had the shingle shot two years ago. I have the worst case my doctor has seen.....resistant to Lyrica etc. I am scheduled for a nerve block tomorrow since I have been MISERABLE and out of work for 6 weeks. Exhausted, feverish. Even the fetanyl patch has given me little relief. I would NOT recommend .... Do the statistics.....it only slightly lowers your odds.....

I received the vaccine 5 months ago. At the site of the injection I had a 3 inch x 1 1/2 inch raised welt that went away after 3 or 4 days. I also experienced some of the side-effects of Shingles, such as extreme fatigue and joint ache but that went away after a couple of weeks. Four months after receiving the vaccine, I began experiencing itching that can start on any part of my body but primarily begins on my head, abdomen, back or buttocks. It starts with one area and spreads and this happens every single night. I have to take a Benadryl to take the edge off so I can sleep. I am in otherwise very good help. My doctor said it "could" be an effect of the Shingles vaccine. I don't think enough information is given about possible long-term side-effects. I can only hope this stops at some point soon.Read More Read Less

I had the vaccine three years ago. Last week I started with a strange tingly/bruised feeling on my back....within three days, I had an excruciating "heart attack" type pain in my chest.....I was hospitalized after several tests ruling out heart and no response to GI treatment....a few days later, I developed what could finally be diagnosed as shingles......it is a very painful case with a serious rash across my back coming into my right breast. The pain in and out is excruciating !!!!! So much for having the shingle vaccine .......it's been nearly two weeks since the rash first appeared and continues to get progressively worse! Please be clearer in your advertising that this neither prevents nor lessens the effects of the shingles.......also doctors should educate patients that it isn't just the rash that is painful......Read More Read Less

I received the vaccine in early September 2013. The first night, my upper arm was swollen. The next day, it was even more swollen with a red circle at the injection site. After almost 2 weeks, the redness cleared up, but, the swelling in my upper arm is still noticeable almost a year later!

Had the shingles vaccine on 7/1/2014, no pain, no injection site reaction. But on 7/7, I woke up with a big fever blister on my lip! Related to vaccine??? I hope not! Haven't had a fever blister for over a year though. Not sure about receiving Zostrix, but too late now!!

Nurse warned that a small blister may appear. I had a three-inch welt and a rash from elbow to shoulder, headache, fever, joint pain. The rash and pain lasted almost a week.

I had Zostavax injection on 6/23/14. Developed oval rash 3" by 1.5" at sight of injection on 6/25/14. On 6/26/14 I awoke and found 5 red blisters on back. Went to doctor on 6/26/14 and she confirmed I had developed a mild case of chicken pox from the vaccine even though I had chicken pox as a child.

got shingles within 6 months of receiving this vaccine. also, my husband and 87 year old mother also got shingles within 6 months to 2 years of receiving this vaccine. vaccine did not work for our family.

It's human nature that people mostly report dissatisfaction, so the reviews here reflect that bias. I had the vaccine 2 days ago- of course there's some redness and tenderness in the region, but the reaction is nowhere near as bad as a tetnus booster, nor dangerous like the old smallpox vaccines. My brother had shingles 2x, so I figured that I should get vaccinated at 61. It's not a panacea nor marketed as one. Worth the $180 it cost me, in my opinion.

I just received my Zostavax SQ vaccine injection on 12/18/2013: I was very careful to research it and check as to when it was ok to take this live vaccine Zostavax after receiving a flu shot about 1 month before going on to the zostavax injection...intially the doctor who ordered it for me said it was "ok" to go ahead with the Zostavax Injection immediately, but because last year I was cautioned by a pharmacologist who suggested I wait several months to get it after receiving a flu shot I decided to heed her advice & wait the full 4 weeks. So far, 24hrs + later, only a bit of soreness to site of injection. I am going to be nice to myself and hopefully doing healthy things like getting plenty of rest & avoiding stress and all that good stuff will help prevent some of the side effects I am reading about from various people here on this site. And if I do get a rash, I am going to call my doc immediately for an anti-viral med...hope this helps others. My 92 year old dad broke out in Herpes Zoster on his left leg & it took quit a toll on him...a year later and he still suffers w/ neuralgia or nerve pain in the affected leg..it was upon his advice that I sought out the Zostavax Vaccine...here's to keeping my fingers crossed for good outcome! I gave 4 stars across the board because it's too early to tell on effectiveness & satisfaction..ease of use...just had to stick out my arm so 5 stars for that. I watched carefully & read up on administration and questioned my nurse carefully before taking the injection...can you tell I'm an RN? Always ask questions & research if you are not clear on what your being given...it is your right!Read More Read Less

After having the injection, I never gave it another thought. No side effects. 8 months later I got shingles. Aargh. Doc started me on valacyclovir. She said this should be a mild case since i had the shot and got the antiviral right away. Uncomfortable but not in excruciating pain. Disappointed that I got shingles though!

Two days after vaccination I developed Herpes blisters on my outer ear with itching in my inner ear, now being treated with Acyclovire. Also stabbing pain in my eyes for several days.Should a person with Herpes have the Shingles vaccine? Can't find info on this.

I'll be back--it's Friday night and I got the shot Tuesday morning in my upper left arm--the injection site is swollen, and the rash has been expanding each day--it is itchy, and oval shaped and at least 5 inches long. Went to doctor today--got three medicines and wondering whether I can continue my current job(s), as they are both working with the general public. I am angry beyond words--I didn't need to do this!!!!

Had singles in past, got the vaccine on 9/22/13 that evening felt very flushed flu like symptoms. By next night had joint pain and running high fever and area of inject was painful, red and burning about the 2'BY 2', woke up next morning vomiting by 4:00 that day had a 6" by 4" swollen, red and burning area around injection, felt lousy, headache woke up late evening vomiting and had shortness of breath. Had call doctor and went to a Med Check, was told to ice and watch area for infection. Ice is helping with swelling, hopes this doesn't last much longer, injection was given under arm about 3 inches above elbow in fatty area was told should have been given in upper arm Read More Read Less

two days after receiving the vaccine I experienced a very red burning strip down my arm about 2 x 6 inches long. My health care povider told me it would be a little read and itchy. i was concerned that i was having a severe reaction. I researced the website and found that there were several reactions that i was not told about. the redness and burning continued for 4 days. then when i took ibuprofan it helped ease some of the discomfort. on day 8 i experienced a sore bump in the middle of my arm and a small scab appeared. this scab stayed for 2 weeks. i continued to have redness around the pinch mark where the shot was given during this time. the burning at night and the redness continued for 28 days. on day 31 I experienced more burning below where the shot was given and a small bump turned red and burned and then a small scab appeared again. it burns at night and is uncomfortable. I do not know if this is a normal reaction or not. It is day 31 since the 8/23 injection and I am getting very tired of not having the normal feeling in my left arm. should I take ibuprofan until it feels better?Read More Read Less

Within a month of taking the shingles vacine, I developed the shingles. I am only 58 years old and have had 4 outbreaks since taking the vaccine. I tell my friends NOT to get the shot.