The Zostavax vaccine, designed to prevent herpes zoster, may cause serious complications including shingles, stroke, blindness, and even death.
People across the country are filing lawsuits against Merck’s Zostavax vaccine for alleged side effects, including death, after getting the vaccine.
If you believe that you developed serious complications after receiving the Zostavax vaccine, contact our Boca Raton product liability attorneys at Ged Lawyers, LLP, to discuss a potential shingles vaccine Zostavax lawsuit.
What is the Zostavax Vaccine?
Zostavax is a shingles vaccine manufactured by pharmaceutical company Merck. The vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration back in 2006. For over a decade, the Zostavax vaccine remained the only FDA-approved shingles vaccine in the U.S.
The Zostavax vaccine helps reduce the risk of getting shingles, which is also known as herpes zoster, in individuals aged 50 years and older. According to Vaccines.org, about one in three people will get shingles in their lifetime.
What distinguishes the Zostavax vaccine from other shingles vaccines is that it has a weakened form of the varicella-zoster virus as its active ingredient.
Who Should Not Get the Zostavax Vaccine?
According to Merck’s website, you should refrain from getting the Zostavax vaccine if:
- You currently have shingles;
- You are allergic to the active or inactive ingredients of the vaccine, including neomycin and gelatin;
- You have a weakened immune system; or
- You are currently pregnant or are planning to conceive a child.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Zostavax vaccine should not be administered to people with a weakened immune system due to:
- HIV/AIDS;
- A serious disease that affects the immune system;
- Treatment with medicines that suppress the immune system;
- Cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation; and
- Several cancer types that affect the lymphatic system or bone marrow.
What are the Side Effects of the Zostavax Vaccine?
The possible side effects of the Zostavax vaccine include:
- Chickenpox
- Shingles
- Fever
- Joint or muscle pain
- Nausea
- Rash
- Hives
- Headache
However, some people who received the Zostavax vaccine reported more severe complications, including:
- Eye problems
- Vision loss or blindness
- Hearing loss
- Vasculitis
- Stroke
- Bell’s Palsy
- Congestive heart failure
- Inflammation in the spinal cord (Myelitis)
- Pneumonia
- Autoimmune disorders
- Death
- Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN)
Post-herpetic neuralgia is commonly reported by people after getting the Zostavax vaccine. In fact, PHN is a side effect associated with both shingles and the administration of the Zostavax vaccine.
Post-herpetic neuralgia refers to a condition that affects the skin and nerve fibers. PHN causes:
- Itching
- Numbness
- Nerve pain
- Throbbing
- Burning pain
- Extreme sensitivity
Why Do People File Shingles Vaccine Zostavax Lawsuits?
People across the United States have been filing shingles vaccine Zostavax lawsuits due to serious complications after receiving the vaccine. Some plaintiffs are suing Merck, the manufacturer of the vaccine, because they developed shingles after administering the vaccine even though Zostavax is supposed to prevent the condition.
If you or your loved one was diagnosed with shingles between three weeks and a year after getting the Zostavax vaccine, or you suffered one of the serious complications mentioned above, you may be eligible to file a Zostavax vaccine lawsuit to recover damages.
Schedule a free case review by contacting Ged Lawyers, LLP. Speak with our Boca Raton product liability lawyers to determine if you can file a claim for compensation. Call 561-995-1966 (toll-free at 844-443-3529).
