Missed Second Shingrix Shot: What To Do
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses what to do if you accidentally miss your second Shingrix dose.
I had one shot of Shingrix back in February of 2018. Do I need to re-do the 1st shot or can I just get the second one and call it good?
Jan 04, 2022- If you miss your second Shingrix dose, you should still get it as soon as possible without restarting the vaccine series.
- The second dose can be given more than six months after the first dose, though the vaccine works best when doses are given within the recommended two to six month timeframe.
- Do not substitute Zostavax or any other vaccine for your second Shingrix dose.
Hello and thanks for reaching out to us!
I'm more than happy to answer this question for you regarding the shingles vaccine (Shingrix).
To start off, let's go over how Shingrix is recommended to be given.
Shingrix Recommended Schedule
Shingrix is a vaccine FDA-approved for the prevention of herpes zoster (shingles) in adults aged 50 years and older. It is administered as an intramuscular injection (into the muscle) in a 2 dose series.
After the first dose is administered, the second dose should be administered two to six months later.
The first and second doses of Shingrix are actually the same. There is no difference in dose or vaccine component. They are simply two doses given at separate times.
Now, let's talk about what you should do if you don't get your second Shingrix dose on time.
Missed Second Dose
As mentioned above, it is recommended to have your second dose two to six months after your first dose.
If more than six months have elapsed since the first dose of Shingrix, you should still receive the second dose but you should not restart the series.
In other words, if you "miss" the second dose of Shingrix, it is still recommended to get it as soon as possible per the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).
However, this alternative dosing schedule has not been studied extensively and it is unknown whether or not you are at an increased risk for shingles versus those who had the vaccine doses on time.
The following is from the Centers for Disease Control website:
"You and patients should make every effort to ensure that two doses are administered within the recommended interval. If more than 6 months have elapsed since the first dose, administer the second dose as soon as possible. Do not restart the vaccine series, and do not substitute Zostavax® (zoster vaccine live) for the second dose of Shingrix. If you are out of Shingrix and a patient needs a second dose, the Vaccine Finder may be helpful for patients to locate other providers that have Shingrix."
So, to summarize all of the above:
- Get the second dose as soon as possible.
- Do not restart the vaccine series.
- Do not substitute Zostavax (zoster vaccine live) for the second dose of Shingrix
Final words
Thanks again for reaching out to us.
Let us know if anything else comes up for you and we'd be more than happy to help.
References & sources
- Frequently Asked Questions About Shingrix — CDC
- Shingrix Recommendations — CDC
- Ask the Experts: Zoster (shingles) — Immunization Action Coalition
- Shingrix Prescribing Information — GSK
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Herpes zoster
- A viral infection that causes a painful rash, commonly known as shingles.
- Intramuscular injection
- A shot given directly into the muscle tissue.
- Vaccine
- A medical preparation that helps your body develop immunity against a specific disease.
- FDA-approved
- Officially reviewed and authorized by the Food and Drug Administration as safe and effective.
- Dose series
- A set of multiple vaccine or medication doses given over time.
- Zostavax
- An older, live vaccine for preventing shingles that is no longer recommended as a substitute for Shingrix.
- CDC
- The Centers for Disease Control, a U.S. government agency that provides health and safety guidance.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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