What is Shingles?

Shingles is caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)—the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your body and can reactivate decades later as shingles, causing:
✔ Severe burning pain
✔ Painful blisters and rashes
✔ Long-term nerve damage (Post-Herpetic Neuralgia – PHN)

Shingles pain is rated higher than labor pain, and for some, it lasts for months or years.

https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/shingles-vaccine/

Who is at Risk?

90% of adults over 50 already have the virus inside them and are at risk of shingles.
You are at higher risk if you:
✔ Are over 50 years old
✔ Have diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease
✔ Have a weak immune system (CKD, cancer, post-transplant, steroid use)
✔ Had chickenpox in childhood (which is most people)

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/gsks-rsv-vaccine-meets-main-goal-when-co-administered-with-shingles-shot-2024-09-18/

Why Should You Care?

Even though shingles is not life-threatening, its complications can be severe:
✅ Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) – Chronic nerve pain lasting months to years
✅ Vision Loss – Shingles in the eye can cause permanent blindness
✅ Scarring & Skin Damage – Can leave permanent marks on the skin
✅ Increased Stroke Risk – Shingles raises the risk of stroke and heart disease

Once shingles strikes, there is no cure—you can only manage the pain. Prevention is key.

What is the Shingrix Vaccine?

💉 Shingrix is a non-live, adjuvanted vaccine designed to prevent shingles and its complications.

✔ Over 90% effective in preventing shingles
✔ Provides long-term protection
✔ Safe for diabetics, heart patients, and immunocompromised individuals
✔ Given in 2 doses, 2-6 months apart

💉 Shingrix provides 90% protection against shingles and its complications. The CDC and NHS recommend it for all adults over 50. Read their full guidance here:

Addressing Common Concerns

💰 “The vaccine is expensive.”
👉 The cost of treating shingles pain, nerve damage, and doctor visits is much higher than preventing it altogether.

😨 “Shingles is not life-threatening, so why get vaccinated?”
👉 While not fatal, shingles causes severe pain that can disrupt sleep, work, and quality of life.

🔄 “I had chickenpox, so I’m immune, right?”
👉 No. If you had chickenpox, you are already at risk of shingles.

🩸 “I got the older Zostavax vaccine. Do I still need Shingrix?”
👉 Yes. Shingrix is over 90% effective, while Zostavax was only 51% effective.