SHINGRIX can help protect you against shingles. Start by finding out if you’re at risk.

About shingles

Facts about shingles

What is shingles?

  • Shingles is a serious disease that can cause a blistering rash resulting in severe pain that has the potential to linger.
  • The shingles rash usually occurs on one side of the body, such as the face, neck, or torso.

An estimated 1 in 3 people get shingles in their lifetime.

What causes shingles?

  • Shingles is caused by a virus. The shingles virus, also called the varicella zoster virus, is the same one that causes chickenpox.
  • As we age, our immune system naturally weakens. As a result, the shingles virus may reactivate, increasing the risk of developing shingles.

If you’re among the 90% of Canadian adults over 50 years old who have had chickenpox, the virus that causes shingles is already inside you.

Who can get shingles?

If you’ve had chickenpox, you can develop shingles. Additionally, there are certain factors that may put you at increased risk of getting the virus, such as:

  • Age. Shingles is most common in people 50 years of age and older.
  • Diseases that weaken your immune system. Immunosuppression associated with conditions such as HIV/AIDS and cancer can increase your risk of shingles.
  • Immunosuppressive therapies. Radiation, chemotherapy, transplant-related immunosuppressive medications, and steroids may lower your body’s ability to fight diseases, putting you at increased risk of developing shingles.
  • Other individual factors that put you at risk of getting shingles can be different and diverse in individuals with different levels of immunosuppression (for example, underlying disease, the type, duration, and combination of therapy).

What are some shingles symptoms?

  • Shingles can result in a painful and blistering rash that can last several weeks. The pain can be severe, and may interfere with everyday activities, like getting dressed, walking, and sleeping.
  • Shingles may lead to serious complications, such as chronic nerve pain (also called postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN), which can last for months or even years.
  • Other symptoms may include:
    • Burning, numbness or tingling
    • Sensitivity to touch
    • Fever
    • Headache
    • Vision problems/loss of vision
    • Upset stomach
    • Loss of hearing

What does shingles look like?

WARNING: The following images may be disturbing.

Shingles around eyes Bardeaux sur le cou

GETTING YOUR FLU SHOT?
ASK ABOUT SHINGRIX TOO!*

* SHINGRIX can be given at the same time as the unadjuvanted seasonal influenza vaccine. The vaccines should be given at different injection sites.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and the Comité sur l'immunisation du Québec (CIQ) recommend SHINGRIX for adults 50 years of age and older.

Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if SHINGRIX is right for you.

The Risk Game

Accessible Version

SHINGLES DOESN’T CARE, but you should!

Answer these questions to find out if you’re at risk.

SHINGRIX

What you need to know about SHINGRIX

  • SHINGRIX is a vaccine that helps protect adults against shingles (also called herpes zoster).
    SHINGRIX can be given to adults 50 years and older, and adults 18 years and older who are or will be at increased risk of shingles due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression caused by known disease or therapy.
  • You will receive two SHINGRIX doses, with a gap of 2 to 6 months between doses.
  • Based on your medical condition or planned treatments, your doctor may recommend that you receive the second dose 1 month after the first dose.
  • To maximize the protection offered by SHINGRIX, it is important that you get both doses.
  • When you get your first dose, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse to schedule your next dose.
  • SHINGRIX is specially designed to help the body build its protection against shingles, regardless of increasing age.
  • In clinical trials, SHINGRIX was shown to be more than 90% effective at preventing shingles for people 50 years of age and older.
  • SHINGRIX is not for the prevention of chickenpox, nor for the treatment or prevention of the pain or symptoms associated with shingles, or its possible complications.

Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse to find out if SHINGRIX is right for you.

Need help remembering your second dose? Print a card and make a note of your next vaccination appointment.

Tools for you

The following tools and information are available to help you with your shingles vaccine. Please take a moment to review the information.

FAQs

What is shingles?
Is the virus that causes chickenpox the same one that causes shingles?
What are some symptoms of shingles?
Are there early signs of shingles?
How common is shingles?
Can shingles come back more than once?
What is SHINGRIX?
How effective is SHINGRIX?
Will SHINGRIX protect against chickenpox?
Who should consider getting the shingles vaccine, SHINGRIX?
How many doses of SHINGRIX are required to maximize protection?
What are SHINGRIX side effects?
Can SHINGRIX cause shingles?
Where can I get SHINGRIX?
What is the cost of SHINGRIX?
Is the cost of SHINGRIX covered in my province?
Do I need a prescription to get SHINGRIX?

SHINGRIX is a vaccine that helps to protect adults against shingles (herpes zoster). SHINGRIX can be given to adults 50 years of age and older, and adults 18 years and older who are or will be at increased risk of shingles due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression caused by known disease or therapy. 100% protection cannot be guaranteed. SHINGRIX is not for the prevention of chickenpox or for the treatment of shingles or its complications. SHINGRIX should not be used if you are allergic to any ingredient in the vaccine. Adverse events may occur. Ask your healthcare professional if SHINGRIX is right for you. Full product information can be found at http://gsk.ca/shingrix/en. To report an adverse event, please call 1-800-387-7374.