Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix) Toronto

The short answer

Shingrix is a vaccine against shingles (herpes zoster) — the painful rash caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus later in life. It is given as an injection on site at the clinic, alongside the other vaccinations we offer.

Shingrix is a two-dose vaccine that lowers the chance of shingles and its complications.

This page explains Shingrix in general terms. It is not medical advice and not a guarantee of eligibility or public funding for your specific situation. Whether it's right for you, and what it costs, is a conversation to have with the physician when you book.

Who it's for

Shingrix is generally recommended for adults aged 50 and older, and for adults 18 and older who are immunocompromised. Whether it makes sense for you specifically depends on your age, health history and risk factors — the physician will go through this with you rather than this page deciding it in advance.

Who should not get Shingrix

A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of Shingrix.
A severe allergy to any ingredient in the vaccine.

Who should wait

A current shingles rash. We vaccinate after it clears.
A severe illness, with or without fever. We wait until the symptoms ease.
Cold or flu-like symptoms, even minor ones like a sore throat or runny nose. Ontario's guidance is to put the shot off until you have recovered.
Pregnancy. There is no safety data, so Canadian guidance says use caution: vaccinate before pregnancy or wait until after.
Breastfeeding. Shingrix can be given if you need it.

Talk to us first

A weakened immune system, or immune-suppressing medicine about to start: Shingrix is still recommended from age 18, but dose timing can differ.
A past history of Guillain-Barre syndrome.
A bleeding or low-platelet problem, or fainting with needles.

This is general information. Your physician confirms whether Shingrix is right for you at your visit.

The dose schedule

Dose 1
The first injection, given at the clinic.
Dose 2
Given about six months after the first dose — or 1 to 2 months after, for patients who are immunocompromised. The physician will set the exact interval for you.

In follow-up of the original trial participants, protection against shingles remained high up to about 10 years after vaccination. These were interim results, and measured protection was lower in the later years than in the first few. No vaccine is a guarantee, so shingles can still happen.

What's publicly funded in Ontario

Ontario's publicly funded program covers Shingrix, at no cost, only for adults aged 65 to 70 who have not received any publicly funded shingles vaccine. A Zostavax dose you paid for yourself does not rule you out, but a publicly funded Zostavax II dose does. Outside that range, or if you've already received a publicly funded shingles vaccine, the vaccine is still available, but it's self-pay or covered through a workplace or private insurance plan. If you've had Zostavax, tell us at your visit and we'll confirm where you stand.

For the full detail on how the funded program works, see our blog post on Shingrix coverage in Ontario.

Shingles and your heart

Shingles is more than a painful rash. In a large US study of Medicare patients aged 65 and older, the rate of heart attack was about 70 per cent higher in the first week after a shingles diagnosis than at other times, and the rate of stroke was about 2.4 times higher. The extra risk faded over the following weeks and was not clearly present after about three to six months. Not every study agrees, and this research is observational, so it shows a link, not proof that shingles causes heart attacks. Heart attacks are more common in older adults and in people with existing heart disease or risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, so this is worth knowing if that describes you. Shingrix prevents shingles. Whether it also lowers heart attack risk is still being studied and is not proven. Talk to your doctor about whether it is right for you.

What it costs if you're not covered

Cost varies and isn't published on this page — it depends on current supply and whether you have workplace or private insurance that covers it. Ask when you book and the clinic will tell you the price before you attend, so there's no surprise at the counter.

What to expect afterwards

Common reactions include soreness, redness or swelling where the injection was given, along with fatigue, muscle pain, headache, chills or occasionally a mild fever. These are typically self-limiting and settle within 2 to 3 days. Shingrix tends to cause a stronger reaction than many routine vaccines, especially after the second dose — worth knowing in advance so it isn't alarming if it happens.

Call the clinic if a reaction is severe, doesn't improve after a few days, or if you have any symptom that concerns you.

Getting it at 750 Dundas St W

Call the clinic first to book the shingles vaccine: (416) 681-0444 and ask for Shingrix — the team will confirm current stock before you come in, since supply varies and a two-minute call saves a wasted trip. Appointments run Monday and Thursday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm; Tuesday and Saturday, with Dr. Grewal 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Please don’t book it through the online patient portal or walk in for it without calling first, so eligibility and stock can be checked before your visit. Dr. Harris Hashim, MD, CCFP, sees patients at 750 Dundas St W #11, Toronto, ON M6J 3S3 — Bathurst entrance.

Also looking at RSV? RSV vaccine details for this clinic are on their own page, as are flu shot details, or see the full list of vaccinations given on site.

Common questions

Two doses, given about six months apart. For patients who are immunocompromised, a shorter interval of 1 to 2 months can be used instead — the physician will set the exact interval for your situation at your visit.

In follow-up of the original trial participants, protection against shingles remained high up to about 10 years after vaccination. These were interim results, and measured protection was lower in the later years than in the first few. No vaccine is a guarantee, so shingles can still happen.

Having had shingles doesn't rule out getting the vaccine; it can still lower the chance of a repeat episode. Timing after an active episode is a case-by-case clinical decision, so bring it up with the physician when you book.

Ask when you book. Whether two vaccines are given together at one visit depends on what's in stock and the physician's assessment that day, so this isn't something we can promise in advance over the phone or on this page.

Call the clinic to rebook rather than waiting for a reminder — there is no need to restart the series from the first dose, but the physician will confirm timing based on how long it's been.

Most reactions are self-limiting and resolve within 2 to 3 days. If something is more severe or doesn't settle in that window, call the clinic rather than waiting it out.

Shingrix is not given after a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose, or with a severe allergy to any ingredient in the vaccine. We wait if you have a current shingles rash or a severe illness. In pregnancy there is no safety data, so Canadian guidance says vaccinate before pregnancy or wait until after. Talk to us first if you have a weakened immune system, a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a bleeding or low-platelet problem, or faint with needles. Your physician confirms whether Shingrix is right for you at your visit.

Sources

Eligibility and funding rules change. The guidance this page draws on is published by:

Shingles vaccine in Toronto