YOU’RE THE CONNECTION THEY COUNT ON

Don't miss an opportunity to talk to your patients ≥50 years old about shingles protection

As a trusted pharmacist, you are on the front line of patient care.

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HOW TO IDENTIFY PATIENTS AT INCREASED RISK OF DEVELOPING SHINGLES

AGE:

Starting at 50 years old, shingles risk sharply increases1

Incidence rate* of herpes zoster by age–United States1

Incidence rate per 1000 person-years of herpes zoster by age in the United States

SHINGRIX is a vaccine indicated for prevention of herpes zoster (HZ) (shingles) in adults aged 50 years and older.2

PATIENTS ≥50 YEARS OLD MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS:

Certain comorbidities have been associated with an increased risk of shingles3,†:

DIABETES

24

%
INCREASED RISK of shingles in patients with DIABETES vs without

32 studies, pooled effect estimate:
RR: 1.24 (95% CI: 1.14-1.35)

ASTHMA

24

%
INCREASED RISK of shingles in patients with ASTHMA vs without

12 studies, pooled effect estimate:
RR: 1.24 (95% CI: 1.16-1.31)

COPD

41

%
INCREASED RISK of shingles in patients with COPD vs without

12 studies, pooled effect estimate:
RR: 1.41 (95% CI: 1.28-1.55)

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

29

%
INCREASED RISK of shingles in patients with CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE vs without

18 studies, pooled effect estimate:
RR: 1.29 (95% CI: 1.10-1.51)

CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITIONS

34

%
INCREASED RISK of shingles in patients with CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITIONS‡ vs without

16 studies, pooled effect estimate:
RR: 1.34 (95% CI: 1.17-1.54)

  • †

    Data from a meta-analysis assessing risk factors for HZ. The analysis included a total study population of 198,751,846 individuals, with 3,768,691 HZ cases across 88 studies (68 cohort and 20 case-control studies) from 1966 to 2019. The populations in these studies ranged from people aged 3 months to 104 years old.§ Eighteen risk factors were identified in the meta-analysis; note not all are presented here. Limitations included the following: most studies were observational and had a higher likelihood of bias; the majority of studies used administrative data, which is subject to miscoding, errors, and can vary between practitioners; finally, heterogeneity was high across studies. This list is not exhaustive and may not present all conditions associated with an increased risk of HZ.3

  • ‡

    Cardiovascular conditions included in each individual study in the meta-analysis varied by study and included heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, stroke, atrial fibrillation/flutter, and other cardiovascular disease.3

  • §

    SHINGRIX is a vaccine indicated for prevention of herpes zoster [shingles] in adults ≥50 years old.2

  • CI=confidence interval; COPD=chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; HZ=herpes zoster; RR=relative risk.

TALK ABOUT SHINGLES AND HOW TO HELP PROTECT YOUR PATIENTS

Use these 3 steps to make a personalized recommendation to your patients ≥50 years old

Discuss the impact of shingles

  • Shingles is a blistering rash that can be excruciatingly painful and usually lasts 7 to 10 days1,4,5
  • The pain during a shingles episode can disrupt everyday activities such as work, family time, and sleep4 
  • Shingles may lead to serious or long-lasting complications5
    SHINGRIX is not indicated for the prevention of herpes zoster-related complications2

Personalize their risk

  • Shingles risk sharply increases starting at 50 years old1
  • In addition to age, certain comorbidities (diabetes, asthma, COPD, chronic kidney disease, or cardiovascular conditions‖) have been associated with an increased risk of shingles1,3

Recommend SHINGRIX

  • SHINGRIX, administered as a 2-dose series, demonstrated outstanding efficacy. In clinical studies in adults ≥50 years old, it was proven more than 90% effective in preventing shingles2,¶ 
    The most common side effects were pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, muscle pain, tiredness, headache, shivering, fever, and upset stomach.2
  • ‖

    Cardiovascular conditions included heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, stroke, atrial fibrillation/flutter, and other cardiovascular disease.3

  • Data from the phase 3 ZOE-50 (≥50 years old) trial (median follow-up period 3.1 years) and pooled data in individuals ≥70 years old from the phase 3 ZOE-50 and ZOE-70 trials (median follow-up period 4 years) in subjects who received 2 doses of SHINGRIX (n=7344 and 8250, respectively) or placebo (n=7415 and 8346, respectively). These populations represented the modified Total Vaccinated Cohort, defined as patients who received 2 doses (0 and 2 months) of either SHINGRIX or placebo and did not develop a confirmed case of herpes zoster within 1 month after the second dose.2,6

  

COULD COADMINISTRATION BE RIGHT FOR YOUR PATIENTS?

According to the CDC, recombinant and adjuvanted vaccines (like SHINGRIX) can be administered concomitantly at different anatomic sites with other adult vaccines. This includes COVID-19 vaccines.7

The Prescribing Information for SHINGRIX contains information regarding the concomitant administration of SHINGRIX with FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine), Pneumovax 23 (Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent), BOOSTRIX (Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine, Absorbed), and Prevnar 13 (Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM 197 Protein]). Data are limited on coadministration of SHINGRIX with other vaccines.2

VIEW SHINGRIX COADMINISTRATION DATA

DOSING AND STORAGE FOR SHINGRIX

SHINGRIX is administered as a 2-dose series to help prevent shingles2

LEARN MORE

YOU’RE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO HELP PROTECT YOUR PATIENTS FROM SHINGLES.

Use the following resources to make the most out of your conversations with your patients.

For Pharmacists

Comorbidity Guide
Coadministration Guide
3-Step Recommendation Guide
Prefilled Syringe Fact Sheet

For Patients

Prevention Fact Sheet

Vaccine Scheduler

See below for resources available in other languages. Please select your patient's preferred language from the drop-down options.

What to Expect Pamphlet PDF image

What to Expect Pamphlet

This contains information your patients should know when receiving SHINGRIX.

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Important Facts About SHINGRIX PDF image

Important Facts About SHINGRIX

A summary of important information about SHINGRIX.

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Indication & Important Safety Info

Indication

Important Safety Information

Indication

SHINGRIX is a vaccine indicated for prevention of herpes zoster (HZ) (shingles):

  • in adults aged 50 years and older.
  • in adults aged 18 years and older who are or will be at increased risk of HZ due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression caused by known disease or therapy.

SHINGRIX is not indicated for prevention of primary varicella infection (chickenpox).

Important Safety Information

  • SHINGRIX is contraindicated in anyone with a history of a severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine or after a previous dose of SHINGRIX
  • Review immunization history for possible vaccine sensitivity and previous vaccination-related adverse reactions. Appropriate medical treatment and supervision must be available to manage possible anaphylactic reactions following administration of SHINGRIX
  • In a postmarketing observational study, an increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome was observed during the 42 days following vaccination with SHINGRIX
  • Syncope (fainting) can be associated with the administration of injectable vaccines, including SHINGRIX. Procedures should be in place to avoid falling injury and to restore cerebral perfusion following syncope
  • Solicited local adverse reactions reported in individuals aged 50 years and older were pain (78%), redness (38%), and swelling (26%)
  • Solicited general adverse reactions reported in individuals aged 50 years and older were myalgia (45%), fatigue (45%), headache (38%), shivering (27%), fever (21%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (17%)  
  • Solicited local adverse reactions reported in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients (aged 18 to 49 and ≥50 years of age) were pain (88% and 83%), redness (30% and 35%), and swelling (21% and 18%)  
  • Solicited general adverse reactions reported in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients (aged 18 to 49 and ≥50 years of age) were fatigue (64% and 54%), myalgia (58% and 52%), headache (44% and 30%), gastrointestinal symptoms (21% and 28%), shivering (31% and 25%), and fever (28% and 18%)
  • The data are insufficient to establish if there is vaccine-associated risk with SHINGRIX in pregnant women
  • It is not known whether SHINGRIX is excreted in human milk. Data are not available to assess the effects of SHINGRIX on the breastfed infant or on milk production/excretion
  • Vaccination with SHINGRIX may not result in protection of all vaccine recipients

 

Please see full Prescribing Information.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact GSK at gsk.public.reportum.com or
1-888-825-5249, or VAERS at 1-800-822-7967 or www.vaers.hhs.gov.

References

  1. Harpaz R, Ortega-Sanchez IR, Seward JF; Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention of herpes zoster: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008;57(RR-5):1-30.

  2. Prescribing Information for SHINGRIX.

  3. Marra F, Parhar K, Huang B, Vadlamudi N. Risk factors for herpes zoster infection: a meta-analysis. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2020;7(1):1-8.

  4. Curran D, Matthews S, Boutry C, Lecrenier N, Cunningham AL, Schmader K. Natural history of herpes zoster in the placebo groups of three randomized phase III clinical trials. Infect Dis Ther. 2022;11(6):2265-2277.

  5. Shingles symptoms and complications. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed April 19, 2024. Accessed July 1, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/signs-symptoms/index.html

  6. Data on file. Study 113077 (NCT01165229). GSK Study Register. Accessed July 1, 2025. Study entry at: https://www.gsk-studyregister.com/en/trial-details/?id=113077

  7. Shingles vaccine recommendations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed July 19, 2024. Accessed July 1, 2025.

    https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/hcp/vaccine-considerations/index.html

    Questions About SHINGRIX?

    Call: 1-800-772-9292

    Available Monday - Friday

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