The varicella zoster virus causes chicken pox.
When chicken pox becomes reactivated, people get shingles or herpes zoster. A painful rash that can last for several weeks, shingles can be prevented with a shingles vaccine.
Shingles Vaccines
Licensed in 2006, Zostavax was the first shingles vaccine, and it was recommended for all seniors who are at least 60 years old.
Shingrix became the second shingles vaccine to be licensed in the United States, becoming the preferred shingles vaccine in 2017. It should be given to healthy adults 50 years and older – two doses, separated by 2 to 6 months.
More on Shingles Vaccines
- Can the Shingles Vaccine Cause Shingles?
- Can You Still Get Shingles After Having the Chicken Pox Vaccine?
- Does the Chicken Pox Vaccine Protect You from Shingles?
- Is the Chicken Pox Vaccine Creating a Shingles Epidemic?
- 10 Myths About Chicken Pox and the Chicken Pox Vaccine
- Ask the Experts about Shingles Vaccines
- CDC – What Everyone Should Know about Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix)
- CDC – Shingles VIS
- CDC – Shingrix VIS
- Shingles ACIP Vaccine Recommendations
- CDC – Pinkbook – Varicella
- FDA – Zostavax (package insert)
- A Look at Each Vaccine : Shingles
- History of the Shingles Vaccines