Who Should Get the Shingles Vaccine — And Who Should Wait?

Shingrix is recommended for every adult 50 and older, plus anyone 19 and older with a weakened immune system.

That second group matters because older shingles vaccines were live and couldn't be given to people with weakened immune systems. Shingrix is a non-live, recombinant vaccine, so it doesn't carry that restriction.

A few questions come up often:

• Already had shingles? Get vaccinated anyway. Shingles can recur, and two doses are recommended regardless of a prior episode.

• Don't remember having chickenpox? It doesn't matter. More than 95% of adults carry the virus that causes shingles, whether they recall a childhood case or not.

The one time to hold off is during an active shingles episode. Wait until the rash and symptoms fully resolve before getting the shot. There's no fixed number of weeks to wait; it's a judgment call your provider can help you make.

If you're 50 or older, or you have a condition or medication that weakens your immune system, ask about Shingrix at your next visit.

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