Home / Ask The Experts / If Shingrix is erroneously given to a child for prevention of varicella, the dose is invalid, but is there a waiting period before a valid dose of varicella vaccine can be given? Is it OK to give a dose of varicella vaccine as soon as the error is discovered?

Zoster (Shingles)
Administering Vaccines

If Shingrix is erroneously given to a child for prevention of varicella, the dose is invalid, but is there a waiting period before a valid dose of varicella vaccine can be given? Is it OK to give a dose of varicella vaccine as soon as the error is discovered?

There is no waiting period. The varicella vaccine dose can be given at any time after the Shingrix dose. Review your procedures to prevent this from happening again. Always check the label 3 times to ensure you are administering the product intended. Such an error also should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) by phone 1-800-822-7967 or online at https://vaers.hhs.gov.

Last reviewed: March 9, 2022

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This page was updated on March 9, 2022.