Why Shingrix deserves a place in the conversation about preventive health after 50

Dr. Heidi Queen, MD | Energize Health & Hormones

We spend a lot of time talking about how to feel better as we age: maintaining muscle, protecting bone health, keeping hormones in balance, and supporting cardiovascular health. But sometimes an important part of healthy aging is much simpler. It means preventing an illness that can take a painful toll on our health, independence, and quality of life. Shingles is one of those illnesses. The good news is that we have a highly effective vaccine that can substantially reduce the risk of developing it and its most troublesome complications.

Dr. Jen Gunter, the OB-GYN and author known for her evidence-based approach to women’s health, has written about the shingles vaccine as part of a broader conversation about longevity. It’s a useful perspective. Preventive care isn’t always about adding another supplement, treatment, or complicated health routine. Sometimes it’s about taking advantage of something we already know works.

Why shingles becomes more concerning with age

Shingles develops when the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox, reactivates in the body. After a chickenpox infection, the virus remains dormant in nerve tissue. Years or even decades later, it can become active again, causing shingles. The familiar sign is a painful, blistering rash, often appearing in a band on one side of the body. But shingles isn’t always a straightforward skin problem. Depending on which nerves are affected, it can involve the face or eye and, in some cases, threaten vision.

One of the most difficult complications is postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN. This condition causes persistent nerve pain after the rash has healed. For some people, the pain lasts for months or longer and can interfere with sleep, everyday activities, and overall well-being. The risk of shingles and its complications increases with age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about one in three people in the United States will develop shingles during their lifetime. We can’t predict who will develop it. We can, however, take steps to lower the risk.

What makes Shingrix different?

Shingrix is the shingles vaccine currently used in the United States. It uses a protein from the varicella-zoster virus, combined with an ingredient that helps stimulate the immune response. It does not contain live virus, so it cannot cause shingles. The vaccine is designed to help the immune system recognize and respond to the virus if it becomes active again.

Clinical trials found that Shingrix reduced the risk of shingles by more than 90% in adults aged 50 and older. It also provides strong protection against postherpetic neuralgia. Although no vaccine offers complete protection, these results represent a meaningful reduction in the likelihood of developing shingles and its complications. Protection has also persisted for years in follow-up studies. That matters because the earlier shingles vaccine, Zostavax, offered less protection as time passed and is no longer available in the United States. Shingrix is a different vaccine, and the older vaccine’s performance shouldn’t be used to judge the newer one.

Who should consider getting vaccinated?

The CDC recommends two doses of Shingrix for adults aged 50 and older, including those who have already had shingles. Adults aged 19 and older who have weakened immune systems because of a disease or medical treatment are also eligible for vaccination. The two doses are generally given two to six months apart. Completing the series is important for achieving the intended protection.

Already had shingles? Vaccination can still help prevent another episode. There is no specific waiting period required after a shingles episode, although you should wait until the acute illness has passed before receiving the vaccine. Previously received Zostavax? Shingrix is still recommended. Your healthcare professional can help determine the appropriate timing. And if you don’t remember having chickenpox, don’t automatically assume you are not at risk. Many adults were infected in childhood without a clear recollection of the illness.

Let’s talk about the side effects

Here’s the part that deserves an honest conversation: Shingrix can make you feel pretty lousy for a day or two. Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site are common. Fatigue, muscle aches, headache, chills, fever, and an upset stomach can also occur. Some people experience symptoms strong enough to interrupt their usual activities temporarily. These reactions generally resolve within a few days.

Why does this happen? Shingrix is designed to provoke a strong immune response. The temporary discomfort is a reflection of that response, although it is not a measure of how much protection an individual will develop. Serious reactions are uncommon, but they should not be dismissed. The FDA has identified a possible association between Shingrix and Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological condition. The available evidence does not establish that the vaccine causes the condition, and the FDA continues to consider the vaccine’s benefits to outweigh its risks.

Your personal medical history matters, particularly if you have experienced a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine or one of its ingredients, or have a history that raises other vaccination concerns. A conversation with your healthcare professional can help you understand what applies to you. For most eligible adults, the decision involves weighing the possibility of a few uncomfortable days against the risk of an illness that can cause substantial pain and, sometimes, prolonged complications.

A small step that can make a difference

Healthy aging isn’t about eliminating every risk or finding a single intervention that changes everything. It’s about making thoughtful decisions that help preserve health and quality of life over time. Shingles vaccination belongs in that conversation. It is a practical, evidence-supported preventive measure for eligible adults, with substantial protection against a disease that becomes more common with age.

There is also emerging research examining whether shingles vaccination might be associated with a lower risk of dementia. That question is worth watching, but researchers have not yet established that the vaccine prevents dementia. For now, its proven value is in reducing the risk of shingles and its complications.

At Energize Health & Hormones, we believe preventive care should be part of a thoughtful, individualized approach to long-term health. If you’re approaching 50, are already in midlife, or simply aren’t sure whether your vaccinations are up to date, this is a good opportunity to review your preventive health plan. Talk with us about your health goals and which preventive measures make sense for you. A little planning today can help protect your health and independence in the years ahead. Call (415) 548-7901 to learn more and to schedule your appointment today.