Which is better Shingrix or Zostavax?
Emily Cortez
Updated on January 08, 2026
The main difference is that Shingrix is more effective at preventing shingles (herpes zoster virus) than Zostavax (overall: 97.2% vs. 51%, respectively). Shingrix is an FDA-approved vaccine to help prevent the occurrence of herpes zoster (shingles).
Why was Zostavax taken off the market?
Zostavax—A Vaccine for Shingles—Found to Cause ShinglesThe FDA asked Merck for another label change to warn those taking Zostavax that the vaccine could potentially cause necrotizing retinitis—an extremely serious eye disease.