Shingles
Shingles (Shingrix)
SHINGRIX
Two doses, 2 to 6 months apart. Every product below is a Health Canada authorized vaccine; every schedule comes from the Canadian Immunization Guide.
Products authorized in Canada
Brand names and DINs (Drug Identification Numbers) as Health Canada's Drug Product Database lists them. The product monograph is the manufacturer's full prescribing information approved by Health Canada.
| Product | DIN | What it is | Presentation and age | Official information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHINGRIX | 02468425 | Recombinant varicella-zoster glycoprotein E, adjuvanted | 50 mcg / 0.5 mL · suspension · intramuscular · 50 and older, or 18 and older if immunocompromised | Product guideHealth Canada recordProduct monograph (PDF) |
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy
Currently not recommended; deferred until after pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Use if indicated.
Source: Immunization in pregnancy and breastfeeding: Canadian Immunization Guide — Chapter updated August 2026. Live vaccines are generally contraindicated in pregnancy; routinely recommended vaccines can be given while breastfeeding unless the chapter says otherwise.
How many doses
The schedules the Canadian Immunization Guide describes for this vaccine. Which one applies depends on age, health and product — use the dose planner to see the dates for your situation.
| Schedule | Doses | Who it is for | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shingles (Shingrix) — adults 50 and older, two doses Two doses of recombinant zoster vaccine, 2 to 6 months apart. | 2 doses | For adults 50 years of age and older, including those who have had shingles or an earlier live shingles vaccine. Dose 2 is given 2 to 6 months after dose 1 (a 12-month interval is also acceptable). | SHINGRIX |
| Shingles (Shingrix) — weakened immune system, 18 and older, two doses Two doses; the second can be given as soon as 4 weeks after the first when faster protection matters. | 2 doses | For adults 18 years and older who are, or will be, immunocompromised. The usual interval is 2 to 6 months; the second dose may be given at a minimum of 4 weeks after the first when completing the series sooner is beneficial, ideally at least 14 days before immunosuppressive therapy starts. | SHINGRIX |
Sources
- Herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine: Canadian Immunization Guide — Chapter revised August 2018 · partial update June 2025
- Health Canada Drug Product Database — product records and monographs
Clinical rules reviewed on 2026-09-27. General information from public Canadian guidance; a personal assessment is needed for treatment decisions. Care365 does not decide whether a vaccine is publicly funded in Ontario.