May 19, 2017

National Shingles Vaccination Program

There is now a free vaccine for shingles available to all patients 65 years and older. Shingles is a painful rash caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox. 1 in 3 people will develop shingles in their lifetime. As a person gets older, the risk of getting shingles and neurological complications increases. Vaccinations don’t stop at childhood. Talk to your general practitioner about vaccines that may be available for you.