Free Zostavax Lawsuit Evaluation: If you developed any of the following side effects within six months of receiving a Zostavax shingles vaccination, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation through the filing of a lawsuit and we can help:

- Serious neurological diseases or disorders, including brain inflammation (encephalitis)
- Herpetic Neuralgia (nerve disorder)
- Postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN (pain continuing after shingles blister subsides)
- Myelitis (spinal cord inflammation)
- Bell’s Palsy (facial paralysis)
- Vision problems - blindness, eye infections, retinal damage (necrotizing retinitis)
- Hearing loss

Please note: We are no longer accepting cases for shingles-only, “rash”, “blisters”, etc.

What is Zostavax?

Zostavax contains live varicella zoster virus, which is the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles. The drug, which is the only live virus vaccine for shingles currently available on the U.S. market, is supposed to work by stimulating the body's immune response to this virus without actually causing disease. However, not only has the drug proven to be largely ineffective, but it may also cause shingles, chickenpox, and a large number of other serious side effects.

Does Zostavax Really Work? Shingles can be a debilitating condition, especially for seniors who most often develop it. However, it has recently been found that the Zostavax vaccination is effective in barely half the people who receive it, making the potential health risks associated with the drug not worth the benefits. In August 2014, the FDA required Merck to add “shingles” to the list of possible side effects of Zostavax warned about on the product’s labeling and packaging insert.

What’s the Problem?

Zostavax has recently been found to be only about 51% effective and may cause serious, potentially life-threatening side effects in certain users. According to the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC):

“As of September 1, 2015 there had been 1,141 serious adverse events reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) in connection with shingles containing vaccines since 1990. Over 33% of those serious shingles vaccine-related adverse events occurring in seniors 65-75 years of age. Of these shingles-vaccine related adverse event reports to VAERS 90 were deaths, with 40% of the deaths occurring in seniors over 70 years of age.”

Zostavax Side Effects

- - Shingles
  - Chickenpox
  - Injection site reactions (pain, redness, itching, swelling, warmth, bruising)
  - Allergic reactions
  - Vision damage / keratitis
  - Headache
  - Diarrhea
  - Joint and/or muscle pain
  - Skin rash
  - Death
  - And more

FDA Warning

In August 2014, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) ordered Merck to include shingles as a potential side effect of the Zostavax vaccination on the product labeling and package insert. FDA’s letter to the company reads:

“We have approved your request (to) update the Package Insert, Section 6.3 Postmarketing Experience to include “infections and infestations: Herpes zoster (vaccine strain)” and to update the Patient Package Insert to include “Shingles” in the “What are the possible side effects of ZOSTAVAX?” section.”

What is Shingles?

Shingles is a painful skin rash that is often accompanied by blisters, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The condition is also referred to as “herpes zoster,” or just “zoster.” A shingles rash typically appears on one side of the face or body and lasts from 2 to 4 weeks.

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Shingles Symptoms

The main symptom of shingles is pain, which can be quite severe. Other symptoms include fever, headache, chills and upset stomach. In rare cases, a shingles infection can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation (encephalitis) or death.

Has a Zostavax Class Action Been Filed?

To date, no Zostavax class action lawsuit has been filed over injuries allegedly caused by the Zostavax shingles vaccine, and it is unlikely that any such action will be entered in the future. However, our lawyers are reviewing potential individual lawsuits for people who suffered the aforementioned side effects after receiving the vaccination. If we determine that you have a valid claim against Merck, you may be entitled to compensation to assist with medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

See the other dangerous drugs lawsuits which we've covered.

Do I Have a Zostavax Shingles Vaccine Lawsuit?

The Vaccine Injury Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Zostavax vaccine lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting Zostavax side effect cases in all 50 states.

Free Case Evaluation: If you or a loved one developed any of the following side effects within 6 months of receiving a Zostavax vaccination, you should contact our law firm immediately by using the form below or dialing (866) 588-0600. You may be entitled to compensation through the filing of a Zostavax lawsuit and we can help:

- Serious neurological diseases or disorders, including brain inflammation (encephalitis)
- Herpetic Neuralgia (nerve disorder)
- Postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN (pain continuing after shingles blister subsides)
- Myelitis (spinal cord inflammation)
- Bell’s Palsy (facial paralysis)
- Vision problems - blindness, eye infections, retinal damage (necrotizing retinitis)
- Hearing loss

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