Overview

Shingles is a painful, often blistery, rash that can last for months and cause severe complications. The rash is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After someone has had chickenpox, the virus stays in the body and can reactivate as shingles later in life. The risk of shingles increases with age. Getting vaccinated with the shingles vaccine can help lower the risk of the virus reactivating as shingles.

Childhood Recommendations

It is not recommended that children get the shingles vaccine.

Adult recommendations

All adults over the age of 50 years should get the shingles vaccine.

Adults 19 years old and older who have a weakened immune system due to disease or are getting certain medical treatments should receive the vaccine.

Adults who have received the chickenpox vaccine and have had shingles in the past should be vaccinated.

Adults who have received another type of shingles vaccine other than the current vaccine should be revaccinated. The current vaccine was recommended in 2018, so adults who were vaccinated before the current vaccine became available should be revaccinated with the current vaccine called Shingrix.

Immunization schedules

Additional information about the shingles vaccine

Shingles Vaccine Information Statement

CDC’s Shingles main page