Vaccine for Shingles

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful skin rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus—the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After recovering from chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in nerve cells and reactivate later in life as shingles, typically presenting as a rash on one side of the face or body. Shingles can cause severe pain and complications, including post-herpetic neuralgia, where pain persists even after the rash has healed. Nearly one third of unimmunized adults over the age of 50 will eventually develop shingles. 

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends the recombinant zoster vaccine for individuals aged 50 and older, including those with a history of shingles or previous vaccination with a live virus shingles vaccine. The vaccine is also recommended for certain patients 18 years and older with immunocompromising conditions.  The shingles vaccine is administered as two doses, 2 to 6 months apart, and has demonstrated high efficacy in preventing the disease.  Unfortunately, this medication is not publicly funded in BC.  Our travel pharmacists will review your immunization history and private insurance to determine if vaccination against shingles is right for you.