Facts About Shingles
An estimated 1 million cases occur annually in the United States.1
Shingles can be painful and can lead to serious or long-lasting complications.1
About 99.5% of people 50 years and older are infected with the VZV.1
In 1 out of 3 people, dormant VZV reactivates and causes shingles.1
Starting at 50 years old, the risk of developing shingles sharply increases.3
Direct contact with active blisters can cause chickenpox in people who have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated against varicella.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
Shingles Downloadable Resources
Shingles Resources
References
- Clinical Overview of Shingles (Herpes Zoster). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed June 27, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/hcp/clinical-overview/
- Clinical Features of Shingles (Herpes Zoster). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed May 10, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/hcp/clinical-signs/index.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.
- About Shingles (Herpes Zoster). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed May 10, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html
- Shingles Vaccine Recommendations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed July 19, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/hcp/vaccine-considerations/index.html
