Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine) is a brand-name vaccine that’s prescribed to help prevent herpes zoster in certain adults. Shingrix comes as two vials (one liquid, one powder) that are mixed and given as an injection by a healthcare professional.
Shingrix is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help prevent:
- shingles (herpes zoster) in adults ages 50 years and older
- shingles in adults ages 18 years and older who have an increased risk due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression
Shingrix is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called vaccines. Shingrix is not available in a biosimilar version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Shingrix, including its strength and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Shingrix, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Shingrix provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Shingrix dosage that’s right for you.
The information below describes Shingrix’s typical dosage and other details about the drug.
Shingrix form
Shingrix comes as two vials (one is a liquid and the other a powder) that are mixed together to form a solution. Shingrix is given as an intramuscular injection. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you the injections at your doctor’s office or a pharmacy.
Shingrix strength
Shingrix comes in one strength as an injection of recombinant gE antigen 50 micrograms (mcg) in 0.5 milliliters (mL) of solution.
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor or another healthcare professional will administer Shingrix as a two-dose series.
Dosage for shingles
Doctors may prescribe Shingrix to help prevent shingles (herpes zoster).
If your doctor prescribes Shingrix for you, you’ll receive a 0.5 mL injection of vaccine solution. This is the maximum dose of Shingrix that’s recommended at one time.
- If you’re 50 years of age or older: After your first dose, your doctor will likely recommend a second dose between 2 and 6 months later.
- If you’re at least 18 years old with an increased risk of shingles: After your first dose, your doctor will likely recommend a second dose between 1 and 2 months later.
The table below shows the typical dosage schedule, including the initial dosage and your second dosage.
Shingrix dosing chart for prevention of shingles (herpes zoster)
| Age group | First dose | Second dose | Timing of second dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| people ages 50 years and older | 0.5 mL of vaccine solution | 0.5 mL of vaccine solution | 2–6 months after the first dose |
| people ages 18 years and older with an increased risk of shingles | 0.5 mL of vaccine solution | 0.5 mL of vaccine solution | 1–2 months after the first dose |
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Short-term treatment
Shingrix is used short term in a two-dose series to help prevent shingles.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect your Shingrix treatment to take.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may need to adjust the timing of your Shingrix dosages if you take certain medications, such as immunosuppressant drugs. These drugs may affect the way Shingrix works in your body.
Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you the intramuscular injection of Shingrix. First, they’ll mix the powder form of Shingrix with a liquid to make a solution. Then, they’ll prepare the liquid solution for injection. You’ll likely go to your doctor’s office or a pharmacy to receive your injection.
If you have questions about how you’ll receive Shingrix, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you miss your appointment for a Shingrix injection, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule as needed.
If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Shingrix.
What happens if I don’t get the second dose of Shingrix?
Clinical studies of Shingrix included two doses. No studies have specifically evaluated the efficacy rates for preventing shingles if only one dose is received.
While one dose may provide some protection against shingles, the extent is unknown since it hasn’t been studied in this manner.
The
Is the dosage of Shingrix similar to the dosage of Zostavax?
Zostavax is no longer available in the United States. It was previously used to help prevent shingles in people ages 50 years and older.
Zostavax was a subcutaneous injection (under the skin), whereas Shingrix is an intramuscular injection (into the muscle). Zostavax was given as a single injection. Shingrix is a two-dose regimen.
The
The CDC also recommends that you receive Shingrix even if you’ve had Zostavax in the past, as Shingrix was found to be more effective than Zostavax.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Shingrix for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
If you have questions about the dosage of Shingrix that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Shingrix. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Shingrix: For information about other aspects of Shingrix, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Shingrix, see this article. You can also look at the Shingrix prescribing information.
- Cost: If you’d like to learn about Shingrix and cost, see this article.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.