Shingles Vaccine
Longevity Treatments- Who
- Usually age 50 and over; earlier for adults with weakened immunity
- Doses
- 2 doses, 2–6 months apart
- Administration
- Into the arm muscle
What is it?
Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful rash caused when the chickenpox virus, usually caught in childhood, reactivates years later. The risk of shingles and of lasting nerve pain afterwards increases with age. The shingles vaccine aims to reduce this risk.
What to know
- It can also be given to people who have had shingles before, after a physician's assessment.
- The most common side effects are arm pain, redness, tiredness and mild fever; they usually pass within 1–3 days.
Who should not receive it?
- People with a serious allergy to the vaccine's components
- During an active shingles episode (assessed after the episode has passed)
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not replace a medical consultation. The right treatment for you is decided after an examination by the physician.