{"id":8864,"date":"2024-03-07T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cov19longhaulfoundation.org\/?p=8808"},"modified":"2024-03-02T15:50:00","modified_gmt":"2024-03-02T20:50:00","slug":"what-to-know-about-shingles-and-the-covid-19-vaccine-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cov19longhaulfoundation.org\/?p=8864","title":{"rendered":"What to know about shingles and the COVID-19 vaccine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Medically reviewed\u00a0by\u00a0Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH\u00a0\u2014\u00a0By\u00a0Carolyn Farnsworth\u00a0Medical News Today <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some studies suggest a link between COVID-19 vaccines and reactivation of the virus that causes shingles. While evidence suggests this could be possible, it is at the very least uncommon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shingles<\/a> is a fairly common condition that may affect roughly 20\u201330%<\/a> of people in their lifetime, with the risk of developing shingles increasing with ageTrusted Source<\/a>. It occurs following the reactivationTrusted Source<\/a> of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Usually, a person will only develop shingles once in their life, but shingles can reactivate several times<\/a> in some people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several case reports note people experiencing a shingles flare-up after receiving a COVID-19<\/a> vaccine. While evidence cannot attribute the flares to the vaccine, it may be possible that the immune response to the vaccine might trigger a flare. Some studies suggest this may not be an adverse event and just a coincidence. However, more research is still necessary to investigate the association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we will discuss the possible association between COVID-19 vaccines and the reactivation of VZV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is there a connection?  <\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To help prevent the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS\u2010CoV\u20102), health experts advise that people receive a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that the vaccines are safe and effectiveTrusted Source<\/a>, some people may experience side effectsTrusted Source<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers continue to monitor the safetyTrusted Source<\/a> of these vaccines and investigate any potential safety issues. Some evidence suggests that a shingles flare may be an adverse event after vaccination (AEAV)Trusted Source<\/a>. However, a 2021 systematic reviewTrusted Source<\/a> notes that there is currently no definitive link between the vaccine and shingles. Still, the article states it could be an uncommon but possible event. As such, more research is necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 2021 articleTrusted Source<\/a> reports two cases of shingles eruptions in adults after vaccination with an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. In both cases, the individuals previously had chickenpox<\/a>, which also results from VZV, but not shingles. While the researchers note that these cases may be a coincidence, they also highlight the potential influence of stress and the immune response to the vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They note that following vaccination, some people may experience lymphocytopenia<\/a> or lower levels of white blood cells. The researchers add that this temporary period of lymphocytopenia may be sufficient to trigger VZV reactivation and result in a shingles flare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is consistent with another 2021 articleTrusted Source<\/a> that suggests that an immune reaction following vaccination may allow VZV to escape from its latent phase and cause a shingles eruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, a 2021 paper<\/a> on older adults and a 2021 case series<\/a> on people with an autoimmune condition highlight cases of shingles following COVID-19 vaccination. While the studies cannot prove causality, they suggest that it could be a plausible but rare AEAV. While more research is necessary, these findings may indicate the requirement for further vigilance and safety monitoring, particularly for those at higher risk of shingles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other research<\/a> also highlights the potential role that stress may play. Stressors from social restrictions, new variants, and the process of vaccination may contribute towards affecting the immune response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, current evidence cannot attribute a definitive link between the two, and the CDC still recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all people aged 5 and older. Even if there is an association, it is a rare side effect, and the benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also worth noting that COVID-19 vaccines do not cause shingles, and a person will not directly acquire shingles from a COVID-19 vaccine. If the events are related, they will only occur in individuals with dormant VZV from a previous case of chickenpox or shingles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Definitions<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ShinglesTrusted Source<\/a> is a viral infection that results from the reactivation of VZV, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nerve cells. Following an unknown trigger, the virus reactivates and causes a second eruption, known as herpes<\/a> zoster, or shingles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of shingles includeTrusted Source<\/a> a burning or tingling sensation with an itchy and painful rash that resembles chickenpox. However, unlike in people with chickenpox, the rash appears in a cluster and usually affects one side of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The term COVID-19Trusted Source<\/a> refers to a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This is a type of coronavirus<\/a> that may cause relatively mild symptoms that do not require specialist treatment. However, it may result in severe breathing problems that require hospitalization in some people. In other cases, it can be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People may experience a variety of symptoms<\/a> of COVID-19, such as fever and coughing, that might appear 2\u201314 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Some individuals may also develop health issuesTrusted Source<\/a> that continue for weeks or months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the potential health risk of COVID-19, scientists were able to develop vaccinesTrusted Source<\/a> to help protect people against COVID-19 by providing immunity to SARS-CoV-2. These vaccines contain harmless material from the virus that the immune system uses to help fight off infection. In the United States, currently available vaccines include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n