The Complete Guide to Shingles: Risk and Prevention

About a third of people in the United States will develop shingles, yet only 31.6% of adults are estimated to have received their recommended vaccinations. With adult immunization rates declining in the wake of COVID-19, the risk of contracting or spreading vaccine-preventable diseases is more prominent. Providers play an important role in educating patients on the risks, symptoms, and best prevention methods for shingles.

Is One Shot Enough? Understanding Vaccine Dosing

Vaccines imitate an infection, triggering an immune system response that helps the body effectively defend itself when it is exposed to the infection in future. While immunity for some diseases can be achieved with a single vaccine dose, factors like disease mutations, immune system health, length of inoculation period, and vaccine type impact the overall protection the vaccine provides and can create a need for two or more vaccine doses to achieve optimal outcomes.