What Is the Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix)? Who Should Get It and How Many Doses Are Required?

The shingles vaccine is a highly effective adult vaccine that has been used worldwide for many years and is now also available in Türkiye. In this article, I explain what the Shingrix vaccine is, who it is recommended for, how many doses are administered, its possible side effects, and an additional potential benefit highlighted in recent research.

I often hear the following question from my patients, either for themselves or for their elderly parents: “Doctor, I’m over 50 and I get my flu vaccine, but is there also a vaccine for shingles?” The answer is yes — and although it is not included in Türkiye’s routine adult vaccination schedule, Shingrix is considered one of the most effective vaccines worldwide. It is strongly recommended by specialists across several medical fields, particularly dermatologists and infectious disease specialists.

What Is Shingles (Herpes Zoster)?

Shingles is an infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella) during childhood. After a person has had chickenpox, the virus is not completely eliminated from the body; instead, it remains dormant (latent) in the nerve roots for many years. As the immune system weakens with age, the virus can reactivate and cause shingles.

The most typical symptoms of shingles are:

• Vücudun tek bir tarafında, bir sinir bandı boyunca ilerleyen ağrılı kızarıklık ve su toplayan döküntüler
• Döküntü öncesi veya sırasında yanma, batma tarzında şiddetli ağrı
• Fever, fatigue, and headache

The most feared complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia.It is severe nerve pain that may persist even after the rash has healed, sometimes lasting for up to two years and significantly affecting daily life. As age increases, both the risk of developing shingles and the likelihood of this complication also increase.

What Is the Shingrix Vaccine and How Does It Work?

Shingrix is a recombinant (genetically engineered) subunit vaccine. It does not contain live virus; instead, it contains a protein found on the surface of the virus (glycoprotein E), together with a special adjuvant system (AS01B) that enhances the immune response. Because it does not contain live virus, it can also be used in immunocompromised individuals, which is one of the most important features distinguishing Shingrix from previous-generation shingles vaccines.

Who Should Receive the Shingles Vaccine?

Shingrix is recommended primarily for the following groups:

• All healthy adults aged 50 years and older
• Immunocompromised individuals aged 18 years and older (such as those undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, and people living with HIV) — for this group, vaccination is not merely optional but is considered an important protective measure that should be completed.
• Daha önce suçiçeği veya zona geçirmiş olanlar (geçirilmiş enfeksiyon aşıya engel değildir)
• People who have previously received the older-generation live shingles vaccine (Zostavax) may also be vaccinated again with Shingrix.

How Effective Is the Shingles Vaccine?

Shingrix has shown remarkable results in large-scale clinical studies:

• In the 50–69 age group, protection against shingles is over 90%.
• Even in adults aged 70 and older, when the immune system naturally weakens, the protection rate remains close to 89%.
• It also reduces the risk of postherpetic neuralgia by a similar rate.
• Long-term follow-up studies have shown that protection lasts for at least 7–10 years.

These figures place Shingrix among the most effective vaccines available for adults.

How Many Doses of the Shingles Vaccine Are Required and How Is It Administered?

Shingrix is not administered as a single dose, but as a two-dose series:

• The first dose is administered.
• The second dose is administered 2 to 6 months after the first dose.
• In immunocompromised individuals, this interval may be shortened to 1–2 months.
• The vaccine is administered intramuscularly.

For full protection, both doses must be completed; a single dose does not provide sufficient immunity.

What Are the Side Effects of the Shingles Vaccine?

Due to its adjuvant content, Shingrix may cause somewhat more noticeable temporary reactions compared with some other adult vaccines; however, these usually resolve within 2–3 days:

• Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site
• Muscle pain and fatigue
• Headache, chills, and fever
• Temporary digestive issues such as nausea

Fatigue and flu-like symptoms, especially on the day after vaccination, are quite common and usually resolve on their own within a few days. Serious side effects are very rare. Experiencing more pronounced reactions does not mean that the vaccine is ineffective or that there is a problem; rather, it may indicate a strong immune response.

Why Isn’t the Shingles Vaccine Included in the Routine Vaccination Schedule?

Türkiye’s national vaccination schedule primarily focuses on childhood vaccines and vaccines for specific risk groups. Adult vaccines such as Shingrix are administered on an optional basis for individual protection, following an evaluation between the patient and physician. Its absence from the routine vaccination schedule does not mean that it has low medical value — on the contrary, it is an evidence-based preventive measure that can directly affect quality of life in an aging population.

The Relationship Between the Shingles Vaccine and the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia

Another recent finding related to the shingles vaccine has attracted considerable attention in the scientific community. In a seven-year follow-up study conducted in Wales involving more than 280,000 people, the rate of dementia diagnosis among older adults who received the shingles vaccine was found to be approximately 20% lower compared with those who were not vaccinated. Researchers suggest that this effect may be related to training the immune system against the virus and reducing neuroinflammation (inflammation of nervous tissue) in the brain.

However, it should be noted that this finding is based on an observational study and that there is not yet sufficient evidence to establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship between the shingles vaccine and dementia. Nevertheless, given the vaccine’s already strong scientific foundation, this potential additional benefit is considered worthy of further evaluation.

Our Patients Traveling from Iran and Russia to Istanbul Specifically for This Vaccine

As of the date this article was prepared (August 2026), Shingrix is not practically accessible to patients in Iran or Russia. Although the vaccine is officially licensed in Russia, it has not yet been distributed to pharmacies and clinics due to manufacturer-related supply issues. In Iran, access to the vaccine appears to be unavailable because of import and supply difficulties caused by international sanctions.

This situation is directly reflected in our clinic as well: many patients from Iran and Russia travel to Istanbul solely to receive this vaccine, without requiring any other treatment. The fact that Shingrix is readily available in Türkiye provides a significant advantage compared with many countries in the region and has made Istanbul a medical tourism destination for this purpose.

You can review the other vaccines we offer on our Istanbul Vaccination Center page.

I would also like to point out that this situation may not be permanent: vaccine supply chains can change over time, so I recommend always confirming the current availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the shingles vaccine recommended for?

It is recommended for all healthy adults aged 50 years and older, as well as immunocompromised individuals aged 18 years and older.

How many doses of the shingles vaccine are required?

It is administered in two doses. The second dose is given 2 to 6 months after the first dose.

How long does protection from the shingles vaccine last?

According to clinical follow-up data, protection lasts for at least 7–10 years.

What are the side effects of the shingles vaccine?

The most common side effects are pain at the injection site, muscle pain, fatigue, and mild fever; they usually resolve on their own within 2–3 days.

Does the shingles vaccine prevent dementia?

An observational study found that the risk of dementia was approximately 20% lower among people who received the shingles vaccine; however, a definitive cause-and-effect relationship has not yet been scientifically established.

Is the shingles vaccine available in Iran and Russia?

As of August 2026, no. Although it is licensed in Russia, it is not currently available on the market due to supply issues; in Iran, access is not possible because of sanctions. For this reason, many patients from these countries travel to Istanbul to receive the vaccine.

Conclusion: A Step Against Shingles, Not Against Aging

Being over the age of 50 is itself enough reason to consider the risk of shingles. Shingrix is a vaccine supported by scientific evidence that provides a high level of protection against both shingles itself and its most feared complication, postherpetic neuralgia.

Do you or a family member over the age of 50 have any questions about this vaccine? Let us evaluate your situation together.

Sources and Further Reading: CDC — Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Vaccination

Op. Dr. Soner Düzgüner — Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology