### Shingles Vaccine: What You Need to Know Shingles is a painful rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. It is more common in older adults. The virus stays dormant in your body and can reactivate as shingles later in life. #### Who Should Get the Vaccine? The shingles vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 50 or older who is not profoundly immunocompromised. This means your immune system should be functioning well, and you should not have recently undergone treatments like chemotherapy or high doses of steroids. #### When to Get the Vaccine? The vaccine is given in two shots. It's available through Medicare, but getting approval can sometimes be challenging. If you've had a recent episode of shingles, it's recommended to wait up to a year before getting the vaccine. #### Side Effects This vaccine is extraordinarily safe. A small percentage of people may get chickenpox-like blisters around the injection site, but these are harmless and go away on their own. #### Additional Information Shingles is not life-threatening but can be very debilitating. If it affects your face or eyes, it can threaten your eyesight. Even after the rash goes away, you might still experience pain in the affected area. The older you get, the higher your risk of getting shingles. By age 80, you have a 25% to 50% chance of having had shingles. #### Conclusion Getting vaccinated can greatly reduce your risk of shingles and its complications. If you have a compromised immune system, consult your doctor before getting the vaccine.