The herpes zoster vaccine, known more commonly as the shingles vaccine, is an injectable treatment used to help prevent shingles in patients over the age of 60, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles is characterized by the presence of a painful rash that appears across a patient's body in conjunction with fever, headache and upset stomach symptoms. Certain people should not receive the shingles vaccine. Before being vaccinated, patients should discuss shingles vaccine contraindications with a doctor.
Gelatin or Neomycin Allergy
Patients who have experienced a severe allergic reaction to gelatin or neomycin, an antibiotic, should not receive the shingles vaccine, MayoClinic.com warns, as these are used to manufacture the vaccine and can cause life-threatening allergic reaction symptoms in hypersensitive patients.
Untreated, Active Tuberculosis
Untreated, active tuberculosis, a severe bacterial infection, precludes treatment with this vaccine. Patients with active tuberculosis should consult a physician for further evaluation and care.
Weakened or Depressed Immune System
Certain medical conditions, such as leukemia or AIDS, or disease therapies, such as steroids or chemotherapy, can make it harder for a patient's immune system to fight off infection. Patients who have a weakened or depressed immune system due to disease or medical treatments should not receive the shingles vaccine, the CDC warns.
Pregnancy
Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should not receive the shingles vaccine. A woman treated with this vaccine should not become pregnant for at least four week after vaccination, according to the CDC.
