There are two vaccines against shingles: Shingrix and Zostavax. In 2019, the Health Council of the Netherlands issued a positive scientific recommendation on Shingrix. This vaccine prevents 9 out of 10 cases of shingles, and prevents long-term nerve pain caused by shingles. Vaccine-induced protection also seems to last a long time. Shingrix has been available in the Netherlands since 1 June 2020. The vaccination consists of 2 injections with an interval of 2 to 6 months.

Vaccination with Zostavax consists of one injection. In 2016, the Health Council of the Netherlands issued a negative scientific recommendation on Zostavax, because this vaccine does not provide enough protection. As a result, Shingrix is the preferred choice for shingles vaccination.

Who could benefit from vaccination against shingles?

Vaccination against shingles with Shingrix may be beneficial for people aged 60 and older and adults who are in one or more of the following medical risk groups:

• people who recently had a stem cell transplant, or are scheduled for a stem cell transplant;
• people with solid tumours, cancers of the blood, or lymphoma who are receiving treatment that suppresses the immune system;
• people who recently had an organ transplant, or are scheduled for an organ transplant;
• people with HIV.

Even if someone in these groups has already had shingles, vaccination may be useful to prevent another shingles infection.

Vaccination against shingles with Zostavax is not recommended in the risk groups listed above, because this vaccine contains live attenuated virus.

How effective is the shingles vaccine?

Shingrix works very well. In adults aged 50 years and older, the Shingrix vaccine prevents about 90% of shingles cases. This means that out of every 10 shingles cases, 9 cases could be prevented by vaccination. Vaccination also prevents 90% of cases in which people continue to have severe pain for a long time after having shingles. For as long as 6 to 10 years after vaccination, protection against nerve pain caused by shingles is still over 80%.

Zostavax is less effective. In adults aged 50 years and older, the Zostavax vaccine prevents about 60% of shingles cases in the first year. This means that out of every 10 people who would have developed shingles, 6 of them would not get it. After 5 years, protection has dropped to slightly more than half of the cases. In the first year, vaccination with Zostavax prevents 77% of cases in which people continue to have severe pain for a long time after having shingles. After 7 years, protection has dropped to slightly more than half of the cases.

What are possible side effects of vaccination against shingles?

Mild side effects may occur after each vaccine dose. The most common side effects are pain at the injection site, muscle pain, tiredness, headache, fever and gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms last for 1 to 3 days and may cause discomfort.

A detailed description of possible side effects can be found in the package leaflets for the vaccines.

Is vaccination against shingles covered by insurance?

Shingles vaccination with Shingrix is only covered by insurance for people in one or more of the medical risk groups. You will need a doctor’s letter to confirm this. Do you want to get vaccinated because of your age or for other reasons? Then you will have to pay for the vaccination yourself.

If you want to be vaccinated with Zostavax, you will always have to pay for it yourself.

Where can I get a vaccination against shingles?

After consulting with your GP or vaccination clinic, would you like to be vaccinated against shingles? That can be arranged through the GP, the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) or the vaccination clinic.