County health officials urge shingles shots for age 50 and over

Nearly 1 million Americans experience the condition each year.  The risk of shingles increases as one get older.  Shingles vaccine protects against this painful disease.  About half of all shingles cases occur in people age 60 years or older.

 Shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox.  After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body.  For reasons that are not entirely known, the virus can reactivate years later and cause shingles. 

The vaccine is available in doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and at the health department.   Vaccination is the only way to reduce your risk of shingles.  Many insurance plans cover many the shingles vaccine. 

The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) website has information regarding people who should not get shingles vaccine at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/index.html.  

Even if you have had shingles, you can still receive shingles vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease.  The Health Department is committed to keeping the people of Kings County protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.  Please call the Health Department at (559) 584-1401 if you have any questions.