According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three Americans will have a bout of shingles at least once. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful rash that occurs when the same virus that causes chickenpox reactivates in the body. Though chickenpox usually affects children, the virus remains dormant in nerve tissue after the initial infection and can reactivate years later as shingles. This reactivation often occurs in older adults or those with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms and Complications of Shingles

Shingles typically manifests as a painful rash, often on one side of the body or face. The rash could also appear as a stripe of blisters that wrap around the torso. Before the rash appears, individuals may experience pain, itching, or tingling in the affected area. Other symptoms can include fever, headache, and fatigue.

The pain associated with shingles can be severe and may persist even after the rash has healed, a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN can last for months, or even years, significantly affecting quality of life.

Shingles Vaccines

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent shingles and its complications. The CDC recommends the Shingrix vaccine for adults aged 50 and older, as well as for adults aged 19 and older who have weakened immune systems due to disease or therapy.

Shingrix is a recombinant, non-live vaccine given in two doses, two to six months apart. It has been shown to be more than 90 percent effective at preventing shingles and PHN. The vaccine’s effectiveness does decrease over time, but it still offers significant protection even years after vaccination.

Medicare Coverage for Shingles Vaccines

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) do not cover the shingles vaccine, but the shingles vaccine is covered under Medicare Part D, which provides prescription drug coverage. However, coverage details such as copayments, coinsurance, and whether a deductible applies can vary depending on the plan. Check your specific Part D plan to understand your potential out-of-pocket costs for the shingles vaccine.

Shingles Vaccines May Reduce Risk of Dementia

Reducing the risk of shingles is a good enough reason to get vaccinated, but there is now another possible benefit to getting vaccinated: it may help prevent dementia. Two recent studies suggest that preventing the chickenpox virus from reactivating in the body could help protect the brain. The theory is that the chickenpox virus that reactivates to cause Shingles may become active in the brain, causing damage that promotes the development of dementia. By preventing this damage in the first place, the development of dementia is either less likely or further delayed.

If you are over 50, talk with your primary care provider about getting vaccinated against shingles.

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