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Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Shingles

The Disease

Shingles is a painful localized skin rash often with blisters that is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles because the virus remains in the nerve cells of the body after the chickenpox infection clears and virus can reappear years later causing shingles. Shingles most commonly occurs in people 50 years old or older, people who have medical conditions that keep the immune system from working properly, or people who receive immunosuppressive drugs.

The Vaccine

Shingles vaccine is recommended to reduce the risk of shingles and its associated pain in people 60 years old or older.

Who Should get Vaccinated?

All adults 60 years old or older should get the shingles vaccine

North Carolina Requirements

Shingles vaccination is not required in North Carolina.

Additional Resources

• CDC page on shingles
• Images of shingles (please be aware some of these images may be inappropriate for young or sensitive viewers)
• Vaccine Information Statement
• Zoster (Shingles) Handouts