Facts About Shingles
An estimated 1 million cases occur annually in the United States.1
Shingles can be painful and can lead to serious, long-lasting complications.1
99.5% of people 50 years and older are infected with the varicella zoster virus (VZV).1
In 1 out of 3 people, the dormant virus reactivates and causes shingles.1
Starting at 50 years old, shingles risk sharply increases.3
Direct contact with active blisters can cause chickenpox in people who have never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.4
Shingles Vaccination Eligibility and Administration Information
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination for the prevention of herpes zoster and related complications for immunocompetent adults aged 50 years and older and adults 19 years and older who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed because of disease or therapy.5 Please refer to the CDC Immunization Schedule for the complete shingles recommendation.
Shingles Downloadable Resources
Shingles Resources
References
- Shingles (herpes zoster). Clinical overview. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed May 10, 2023. Accessed January 30, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/hcp/clinical-overview.html
- Shingles (herpes zoster). Signs and symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed May 10, 2023. Accessed January 30, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/symptoms.html
- Harpaz R, Ortega-Sanchez IR, Seward JF; Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention of herpes zoster: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR. 2008;57(RR-5):1-30.
- Shingles (herpes zoster). Cause and transmission. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed May 10, 2023. Accessed January 30, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/transmission.html
- Recommended adult immunization schedule for ages 19 years or older, 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed December 28, 2023. Accessed February 21, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-combined-schedule.pdf