Took second Shingrix shot too early--will this be harmful?

August 23, 2018 1:55 PM

Is it harmful to space Shingrix shots closer than 8 weeks?

My son recently had a very serious illness, and I was preoccupied. (He's Ok now.) Unfortunately, I mixed up the dates and got my second Shingrix shot a little less than six weeks after the first one. Would this be harmful? The protocol says, at least 8 weeks apart.

I know metafilter isn't a medical forum, but I'm hoping someone would know?

Many thanks!

posted by ragtimepiano to Health & Fitness (4 answers total)

I would not worry about it being harmful. I would worry about it being *ineffective*. i.e., you may have to get another shot sometime in more than 8 weeks in order to have the vaccine work properly. You should consult with your doctor.
posted by brainmouse at 3:18 PM on August 23, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Per the official CDC recommendation document, “If the second dose of RZV is given less than 4 weeks after the first, the second dose should be repeated.“ So 6 weeks is perhaps not optimal, but they would not say you need to repeat that dose.
posted by lakeroon at 5:09 AM on August 24, 2018

Oh, btw, the closer spacing definitely will not hurt you. As brainmouse says, the only question is whether there’s been enough time for you to get the benefit of both doses.
posted by lakeroon at 5:12 AM on August 24, 2018

Response by poster: Thanks so much!
posted by ragtimepiano at 10:06 AM on August 24, 2018