Shingles is a painful rash caused when the chickenpox virus is reactivated. After you have had chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in certain nerve tissues for the rest of your life. About 1 out of 3 people who are unimmunized will get shingles in their lifetime. The most common complication of shingles is long-term nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN is extremely painful and can interfere with daily life. 

Shingles vaccine is recommended for adults 50 years of age and older (18 years or older if immunocompromised). This includes if you have had shingles or are not sure if you had chickenpox infection in the past. The vaccine is given as a series of 2 doses, 2 to 6 months apart. Shingles vaccine is highly effective and is the best way to protect you from getting shingles. Talk to our travel clinician and get vaccinated today!