Shingrix® vaccine safety data now available

New vaccine safety data published by AusVaxSafety have shown more than half of Shingrix^® vaccine recipients (52.3%) experienced no side effects in the first three days following vaccination.

In those who did experience a side effect, local reaction – mainly pain, swelling and redness at the injection site – was the most common, followed by fatigue, muscle/joint pain and headache.

The rate of impact on routine activities was low, with less than 7% of respondents reporting missing work, study or routine duties in the three days after vaccination. Reported medical attendance rates also remained low, at less than 0.5%.

Epidemiologists analysed active vaccine safety surveillance data that AusVaxSafety gathered from more than 5,500 Shingrix^® vaccine recipients since Shingrix® replaced Zostavax^® on the National Immunisation Program schedule on 1 November 2023.

Professor Nick Wood, Associate Director of Clinical Services and Vaccine Safety at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS), said, ‘Rates of side effects reported to AusVaxSafety following Shingrix^® vaccination are consistent with expectations from clinical trial data and previous published surveillance activities.

‘These mild reactions are known to occur after vaccination. They are generally short-lived and go away without treatment, with most resolving within a couple of days.’

While it is preferable that Shingrix^® be given by itself where possible, people can still receive Shingrix^® at the same time as other vaccines, such as influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.

‘Reassuringly, those who received Shingrix^® concomitantly with another vaccine [i.e. on the same day] reported similar rates of adverse events, impact on routine activities and medical attendance as those who received only the Shingrix^® vaccine,’ added Professor Wood.

To collect these data, AusVaxSafety distributes a short online survey via SMS or email to individuals who received their Shingrix^® vaccine at a participating AusVaxSafety site, allowing participants to report any adverse events they may have experienced following vaccination. 

De-identified data from completed surveys are analysed and monitored by AusVaxSafety epidemiologists and vaccine experts to ensure the vaccine is performing as safely as expected.

AusVaxSafety will continue to monitor Shingrix^® to ensure its continuing safety, and vaccine safety data are updated on the AusVaxSafety website monthly.

Click here to view Shingrix^® vaccine safety data