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Preventing shingles pain and prevention: Essential facts about the vaccine

Published on 25 mars 2026 at 8:24

Sponsored by GSK

Everything you need to know about shingles

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After causing chickenpox, usually in childhood, the virus remains dormant in the nervous system. As we age, it can reactivate, leading to shingles.

Shingles appears on the skin as a localized rash, often with fluid-filled blisters and redness. It usually affects only one side of the body, most commonly the torso, neck, or face. In some cases, symptoms can be more severe. People may experience pain, burning, itching, numbness, or tingling. Fatigue, fever, and headaches can also occur. Symptoms may last from a few days to several weeks.

People at risk and potential complications

Shingles is widely talked about today, in part because one in three Canadians will develop it during their lifetime. Anyone who has had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine can develop shingles, although the risk varies.

Beyond being uncomfortable, shingles can have lasting consequences. Up to 30% of patients experience persistent nerve pain known as postherpetic neuralgia. Approximately 10-15% of patients experience herpes zoster ophthalmicus in which shingles affects the face, particularly the eyes, and can impact vision. A shingles episode can also destabilize existing health conditions and lead to complications. For example, in the three months following shingles, the risk of heart attack and stroke increases by 31% and 34%, respectively1.

While chickenpox occurs only once in a lifetime, shingles can recur. Recurrences affects approximately 6% of people and can reach up to 12% in those with weakened immune systems2.

The risk of developing shingles increases with age. People with compromised immune systems, such as individuals undergoing cancer treatment or living with autoimmune diseases, as well as those with chronic conditions, are also at higher risk (example listed below).  

  • 34% for cardiovascular disease
  • 24% for diabetes
  • 41% for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • 24% for asthma
  • 29% for chronic kidney disease3
  • Twice the risk for heart failure4

Antiviral treatments are available and can help reduce complications and shorten the duration of shingles. It is important to consult a healthcare professional promptly, as antivirals are most effective when started within 72 hours of the onset of the rash.

Preventing shingles: Why vaccines matter

How can shingles be prevented and the discomfort that comes with it avoided? The answer is simple: by getting vaccinated.

The shingles vaccine is a non-live vaccine that contains a component of the varicella-zoster virus. It cannot cause the disease, but it trains the immune system to recognize and fight the virus by producing antibodies, which are the body’s natural defense system. This prepares the immune system to respond more effectively in the future.

Vaccination reduces the risk of developing shingles by about 90% in people aged 50 and over5. While no vaccine is fully effective in every case, if shingles does occur after vaccination, the risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia is significantly reduced.

The vaccine requires two doses to achieve full protection and remains effective for at least 11 years6. It is recommended for adults aged 50 and over, as well as for people aged 18 to 49 who have chronic medical conditions that increase their risk of shingles or related complications. Coverage may be available through government programs or private insurance, though eligibility criteria change frequently. Ask a healthcare professional for the most up-to-date information.

Numbers that speak for themselves

More than 90% of Canadians have had chickenpox, and one in three adults will develop shingles at some point in their lives, making the risk significant.

Shingles is not only painful, sometimes long term, and unpleasant, but it can also be disabling. The fluid in the blisters is contagious, often forcing those affected to limit close contact. Shingles can transmit chickenpox through direct contact with the blisters. Many people miss work or social events because of pain, or struggle to carry out day-to-day activities.

The shingles vaccine is safe and effective. Do not hesitate to discuss it with your healthcare professional.


Références

1.    Erskine N, Tran H, Levin L, Ulbricht C, Fingeroth J, Kiefe C, Goldberg RJ, Singh S. A systematic review and meta-analysis on herpes zoster and the risk of cardiac and cerebrovascular events. PLoS One. 2017 Jul 27;12(7):e0181565. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181565. PMID:28749981.

2.    Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (Québec). Zona : description des maladies évitables par la vaccination [Internet]. Québec : MSSS; [dernière mise à jour 22 juin 2023] [cité 16 déc 2025]. Disponible sur: https://msss.gouv.qc.ca/professionnels/vaccination/piq-description-des-maladies-evitables-par-la-vaccination/zona/

3.    Wu PH, Lin YT, Lin CY, Huang MY, Chang WC, Chang WP. A nationwide population-based cohort study to identify the correlation between heart failure and the subsequent risk of herpes zoster. BMC Infect Dis. 2015 Jan 16;15:17. doi: 10.1186/s12879-015-0747-9. PMID: 25592871; PMCID: PMC4307190.

4.    Marra F, et al. Risk of herpes zoster following COVID-19 vaccination: a population-based study. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2020;7(1):ofaa005. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofaa005.

5.    Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (Québec). Vaccin sous-unitaire contre le zona (SU) [Internet]. Québec : MSSS; [dernière mise à jour 8 août 2024] [cité 16 déc 2025]. Disponible sur : https://msss.gouv.qc.ca/professionnels/vaccination/piq-vaccins/zona-su-vaccin-sous-unitaire-contre-le-zona/

6.    Strezova A, Díez Domingo J, Cunningham AL, Eto T, Andrews C, Arns C, Choo E-J, Hui DSC, Icardi G, McNeil SA, Põder A, Kosina P, Rombo L, Schwarz TF, Tinoco JC, Yu C-J, Wang J, Soni J, Tsang M, Leon R, Mwakingwe-Omari A; Zoster-049 Study Group. Final analysis of the ZOE-LTFU trial to 11 years post-vaccination: efficacy of the adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine against herpes zoster and related complications. EClinicalMedicine. 2025;83:103241. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103241. PMID:40630610.

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