Yes, you can and should get the shingles vaccine (Shingrix) even if you’ve already had shingles. Having shingles once does not protect you from getting it again, and the vaccine is specifically recommended for people with a history of the disease. The only timing consideration is straightforward: wait until your rash has fully cleared before getting vaccinated.
Why You Still Need the Vaccine
A common assumption is that having shingles gives you lasting immunity, similar to how recovering from certain infections can protect you in the future. That’s not how shingles works. The virus that causes shingles (the same one behind chickenpox) never leaves your body. It stays dormant in nerve tissue near your spinal cord, and it can reactivate more than once.
Roughly 10% of people who get shingles will experience it again within the following decade. Among those who do have a recurrence, up to 25% go on to have multiple episodes. Your immune system’s ability to keep the virus suppressed naturally declines with age, which is why recurrence remains a real risk even after your body has fought off an outbreak once. The vaccine provides a much stronger and more reliable immune boost than a natural infection does.
How Effective Shingrix Is
Shingrix is remarkably effective. In large clinical trials involving more than 29,000 adults, the vaccine reduced the risk of developing shingles by over 97% in people aged 50 to 69 and by about 91% in people 70 and older. Unlike the older live vaccine (Zostavax, no longer available in the U.S.), Shingrix maintains strong protection even in the oldest age groups. People in their 80s saw roughly the same level of protection as those in their 70s.
The vaccine also provides significant protection against postherpetic neuralgia, the burning, persistent nerve pain that can linger for months or even years after a shingles rash heals. In pooled trial data, Shingrix reduced the risk of this complication by about 89% in adults 70 and older and by 91% in adults 50 to 59. For anyone who has already experienced shingles pain firsthand, that level of protection is worth paying attention to.
When to Get Vaccinated After Shingles
The CDC does not specify a mandatory waiting period. The guidance is simple: make sure the shingles rash has completely gone away before getting your first dose. There’s no need to wait months or a year after your episode. Once your skin has healed, you’re eligible.
If you’re still experiencing an active outbreak, let your provider know. Vaccination is typically postponed until the episode resolves. The same applies if you’re moderately or severely ill with something else at the time of your appointment. A minor cold, however, is not a reason to delay.
The Two-Dose Schedule
Shingrix requires two doses to provide full protection. The second dose is given 2 to 6 months after the first. If you have a weakened immune system, such as from an autoimmune condition or medication that suppresses your immune response, the second dose can be given as early as 1 to 2 months after the first to complete the series sooner.
Both doses are necessary. A single dose offers some protection, but the full two-dose series is what delivers the 90%-plus efficacy seen in clinical trials. If more than 6 months pass before your second dose, you don’t need to restart. Just get the second shot as soon as you can.
Who Is Eligible
Shingrix is recommended for all adults aged 50 and older, regardless of whether they remember having chickenpox, whether they’ve already had shingles, or whether they previously received the older Zostavax vaccine. Adults aged 19 and older who are immunocompromised are also eligible for the vaccine, since a weakened immune system significantly increases both the risk of shingles and the severity of its complications.
What It Costs
If you have Medicare Part D, you typically pay nothing out of pocket for Shingrix. Medicare does not apply a copayment or deductible for vaccines recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and shingles vaccination falls into that category. Most private insurance plans cover the vaccine as well, though your specific costs may vary depending on your plan and where you receive the shot. Without insurance, the two-dose series can run over $300, so it’s worth confirming your coverage before scheduling.