Who Should Consider the Shingles Vaccine?

4. Vaccine Procedure

The shingles vaccine is given in two doses, which should be separated by 2 to 6 months. Healthcare professionals usually inject the vaccine into the upper arm.

You can be vaccinated if you have a mild illness, such as a cold. If you feel severely ill or have a temperature over 101.3 degrees, postpone vaccination until you've recovered. Sometimes the vaccine causes soreness in the upper arm, so try to schedule vaccinations on days when you won't need to use your arm frequently.