Are you 60 years of age or older? Have you received your shingles vaccine?

The varicella zoster virus causes shingles, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body. For some unknown reason, it may reactivate years later and cause shingles.  

Half of people who live to the age of 85 will develop shingles. The only way to reduce this risk, and the long-term nerve pain from post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), is to receive the shingles vaccine.  

If you have Medicare Part D (prescription coverage),
you need to receive the shingles vaccine from your pharmacy. 

The OCDPH has the shingles vaccine for adults 60 years of age and older, who do not have health insurance coverage for the shingles vaccine. The vaccine is free to this group; however, there is an administration fee (no more than $23) based on the household number and income. 

Shingles information at www.cdc.gov/shingles

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