Preventing Shingles: The Overlooked Burden of Herpes Zoster and Its Impact

Herpes zoster is a viral infection that occurs as a result of reactivation of the dormant varicella zoster virus.Herpes zoster carries a high healthcare burden, especially in older adults aged 50 years and older and those who are immunocompromised due to underlying medical conditions or immunosuppressive therapy.Without vaccination, an approximate 27.0 percent, 4.5 percent, and 3.6 percent of adults aged 50 years and older in Singapore could develop herpes zoster, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), and other complications, respectively.Well known complications of herpes zoster are the painful, blistering rash and PHN; however, the lesserknown effect of herpes zoster is its association with cardiovascular implications, including stroke and myocardial infarction.Herpes zoster is a vaccinepreventable disease.Recombinant Varicella Zoster Vaccine is an effective vaccine.