There was a discussion elsewhere on here. If you get antiviral medication soon enough it will take care of shingles. I've had them and they were bad. Never knew about the antiviral medication. But, personally I would never have the vaccine. That's just me.

My cousin got shingles and she had that medication and it worked wonderfully. She said she would not have the vaccine; she would just do the antiviral medication again.

It's up to the individual. And yes, there can be side effects just as there can be with any kind of vaccine or medication.