Shingles Risk Increases With Age And The Vaccine Can Help

The CDC estimates that 1 in 3 Americans will develop shingles at least once. This week, I took an important step in making sure I am not one of them.

While shingles is rarely deadly, it can be incredibly painful. A good friend of mine recently had a battle with shingles that lasted for months. It was virtually debilitating for him and even infected his eyes (which sounds awful and I can't even imagine what that would have been like). When he told me what he was going through, he encouraged me to get the vaccine. When I had my recent annual checkup with my primary care physician, she advised me to do the same.

Look. It didn't take much encouragement. I remember my Uncle Joe getting shingles when I was a kid. I remember him coming to my grandparents' house and showing them his rash. It looked awful (I was terrified it was contagious) and I remember my grandparents talking about how painful it was for him. If memory serves me correctly, I think it forced him out of work for a while.

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WHAT CAUSES SHINGLES?

You are likely aware of this, but shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It's the exact same virus that causes chickenpox. I had chickenpox when I was in elementary school. I don't remember much about it, but I know it left me with a scar under one of my eyes.

If you've had chickenpox, that virus is dormant in your system, but can make a repeat appearance. That repeat performance, if it happens, materializes in the form of shingles.

WHEN SHOULD I GET THE SHINGLES VACCINE?

The good news? According to theglobalstatistics.com, Shingrix, the shingles vaccine, has an efficacy rate of over 90%. It 'prevents shingles and complications'. The vaccine is recommended for adults over the age of 50. I got my first dose of the vaccine this week and I am scheduled to get my second and final dose in a couple of months.

Like chickenpox, people who get shingles typically will only have it once. However, also like chickenpox, it can reoccur.  Because of how it's affected people around me, I know I don't want it once and I certainly don't want to get it twice. See, the incidence rate increases exponentially with age. The risk level jumps to HIGH for people ages 50 to 59. By the time you get to 70, that risk is EXTREMELY HIGH.

For more information about the shingles vaccine and recommendations for getting it, visit the CDC official website. Of course, I am not a doctor. If you're contemplating getting the vaccine (or any other) you should consult your physician.