(BPT) - When individuals reach age 50, their risk of developing shingles increases, making it more important than ever to understand this painful condition and how to help prevent it.
Sam Picking, Walgreens Senior Director of Immunizations, answers common questions about shingles and explains why getting the shingles vaccine is a critical step for long-term health.
What is shingles and why is it a concern?
Shingles is a painful rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus - the same virus that causes chickenpox. According to the CDC, more than 99% of Americans born before 1980 have had chickenpox, even if they don't remember it.1 After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body and can reactivate years later and cause shingles.
"Anyone who's had chickenpox is at risk for developing shingles, which can lead to severe pain, complications like nerve damage, and even hospitalization," said Picking. "Shingles affects one in three people in their lifetime, and the risk increases with age or a weakened immune system."
What is the shingles vaccine and who should get it?
The CDC recommends two doses of the shingles vaccine - separated by two to six months - to help prevent shingles and related complications in adults 50 years and older.2 The vaccine is also recommended for adults 19 years and older who have weakened immune systems.
The shingles vaccine is highly effective - in adults 50 years and older with healthy immune systems, it is 97% effective at preventing shingles and 91% effective at preventing its most common complication, postherpetic neuralgia, which can cause long-lasting, severe nerve pain.2
If you need another compelling reason to protect yourself from shingles, research shows that getting shingles may increase your long-term risk for heart disease.3,4 In addition, emerging data shows there may also be other possible health benefits from the shingles vaccine.5
I've heard the shingles vaccine can be painful and make me feel bad - should I still get it?
Like all vaccines, the shingles vaccine may produce temporary side effects, which may last two to three days.2 For most people, these side effects include a sore arm with mild or moderate pain, or redness and swelling at the injection site. A smaller number of individuals may experience other side effects like muscle pain, headache or fever.
"While some individuals may experience soreness or mild illness for a few days after getting the shingles vaccine, it is far less than the pain and discomfort associated with a shingles infection and any complications from the disease," said Picking. "If you have any questions about the vaccine or its side effects, talk to your local Walgreens pharmacist - we're here to help answer any questions or concerns you may have so you feel confident in your decision to receive this important vaccine."
Walgreens offers flexible vaccination appointments, including nights and weekends, and walk-ins are welcome. To schedule a shingles vaccination appointment in English or Spanish, use the Walgreens app, visit Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine or call 1-800-WALGREENS.
What are the symptoms of shingles, and what should I do if I think I have it?
Shingles usually starts with pain, itching, or tingling on one side of the body or face, followed by a blistering rash.1 Other symptoms may include fever, headache or fatigue.
"If you notice a rash or pain that seems unusual, especially on one side of your body, contact your healthcare provider right away," said Picking. "Early treatment with antiviral medications can help shorten the duration and severity of the outbreak."
And while shingles itself isn't contagious, the virus that causes it is - if you've never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, you could get chickenpox from someone with shingles.1 This means it's important to avoid close contact with vulnerable people, like babies, pregnant individuals, or anyone with a weakened immune system if you have an active shingles rash.
Walgreens: Your partner in health
The shingles vaccine is the only way to protect against shingles and serious complications from the disease. It's available at Walgreens locations nationwide for adults aged 50 and older and younger individuals who are immunocompromised.
If you have any questions, our expert pharmacists are here to help navigate vaccination guidance and what is recommended for you and your loved ones.
Learn more at Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine.
Sources:
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "About Shingles (Herpes Zoster)." January 17, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Shingles Vaccination." January 4, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/vaccines/
3 Lee, S., Lee, K., Oh, J. et al. "Live zoster vaccination and cardiovascular outcomes: a nationwide, South Korean study." European Heart Journal. May 5, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf230
4 Curhan, SG., Kawai, K., Yawn, B. et al. "Herpes Zoster and Long-Term Risk of Cardiovascular Disease." Journal of the American Heart Association. December 6, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1161/jaha.122.027451
5 Eyting, M., Xie, M., Michalik, F. et al. "A natural experiment on the effect of herpes zoster vaccination on dementia." Nature. April 2, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08800-x
