Powered By
Shingrix, the vaccine for shingles, is generally considered safe and recommended for some people with myasthenia gravis. Shingrix is recommended for adults ages 50 and older, as well as adults ages 19 and older who have weakened immune systems because of disease or treatment.
Still, your medications and disease stability can affect the timing. Here’s what to consider and points to discuss with your doctor about the shingles vaccine.
Infections can trigger a serious myasthenia gravis flare, including a myasthenic crisis, a medical emergency with extreme muscle weakness and breathing trouble. At the same time, many myasthenia gravis treatments that suppress the immune system also increase your risk of shingles. That’s why staying current on vaccines, including Shingrix, matters for people with myasthenia gravis.
Infections, including the flu or COVID-19, are among the most common triggers of myasthenia gravis flares. Stress, surgery, and certain medications can also cause them.
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition, and infections can trigger an immune response that makes symptoms worse.
Serious infections can also trigger a myasthenic crisis, which can be life-threatening. About 15 percent to 20 percent of people with myasthenia gravis have at least one crisis in their lifetime.
Sign up to view the results!
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Email
Shingrix is a nonlive vaccine, meaning it doesn’t contain live varicella-zoster virus, the virus responsible for shingles. It uses only a specific viral protein to train the immune system.
Zostavax, the old version of the shingles vaccine, contained a weakened live virus. It’s no longer available in the United States.
This distinction is critical. In people taking immunosuppressants, the weakened virus in a live vaccine can sometimes cause an infection.
Like most vaccines, Shingrix can cause temporary side effects. Common reactions include a sore arm, tiredness, muscle pain, and fever. These usually clear up within a few days.
You should still get the second dose even if you had a reaction to the first shot, unless you experienced a severe allergic reaction to the first dose or any of the vaccine’s ingredients. Contact your myasthenia gravis specialist if you notice new or worsening weakness after vaccination.
One MGteam member shared their experience with getting vaccinated: “My doctor had me do all of them: Flu, COVID, and shingles. It was over two visits, and my arms were sore, but otherwise I was good.”
Yes. Shingrix is recommended for immunocompromised adults 19 and older, even those taking immunosuppressants. This includes people with myasthenia gravis whose immune systems are weakened by their treatment.
Shingrix is also recommended for people with myasthenia gravis who are immunocompetent and are 50 or older.
The two doses are usually given two to six months apart. For some people with weakened immune systems, the second dose can be given one to two months after the first.
While Shingrix doesn’t cause a herpes zoster infection, immunosuppressive therapies can weaken your body’s response to the vaccine. Ideally, you should receive the vaccine before starting immunosuppressive treatment to build the strongest protection.
If you are already on medication, timing matters. For example, people receiving rituximab (Rituxan) should aim to get their Shingrix dose about four weeks before their next scheduled infusion.
Bring a few questions to your myasthenia gravis specialist:
Before your appointment, write down your complete medication list with current doses, along with notes on any recent myasthenia gravis flare-ups or changes in your symptoms.
Bring this information to your neurologist or myasthenia gravis specialist. They can help you time your Shingrix shots safely and effectively.
Get updates directly to your inbox.
I have shingles in my eye and forehead that reoccurs when I have been under stress. Should I get the vaccine?
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Email
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Email
Become a member to get even more
Join
Your Privacy Choices
This is a member-feature!
Sign up for free to view article comments.
If you carry the Herpes simplex virus antibody, and MG should you get the vaccine? Or will it be worse reaction?
We'd love to hear from you! Please share your name and email to post and read comments.
You'll also get the latest articles directly to your inbox.