Shingles: What Every Canadian Over 50 Needs to Know (And Why the Vaccine Matters More Than You Think)

You had chickenpox as a child. You recovered, moved on, and probably haven’t thought about it since. But here’s something most Canadians don’t realize: that virus never fully left your body. The varicella-zoster virus — the one that caused your chickenpox — went dormant in your nerve tissue. Decades later, it can reactivate as shingles, bringing with it a painful, blistering rash and, in some cases, long-lasting nerve damage that can be difficult to treat.

Shingles Awareness Week (February 24 to March 2) is an important reminder that this condition is neither rare nor inevitable. With the right information and the right prevention strategy, Canadians can significantly reduce their risk.

What Is Shingles?

Herpes zoster — commonly known as shingles — is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that lies dormant in your nervous system after a chickenpox infection. The reactivation is typically triggered when the immune system is weakened, whether due to aging, stress, illness, or immunosuppressive medications.

Shingles is not a rare occurrence. Approximately 1 in 3 Canadians will develop shingles in their lifetime, and Canada sees roughly 130,000 new cases every year. While shingles can affect anyone who has had chickenpox, the risk increases substantially after age 50 — and 2 out of every 3 cases occur in adults in this age group.

Recognizing the Signs

The earliest symptoms of shingles often mimic other conditions, which is why many people don’t immediately recognize it. Common early warning signs include:

• Burning, shooting, or tingling pain on one side of the body or face
• Itching or heightened skin sensitivity in a localized area
• Fever, chills, headache, or upset stomach

Within a few days, a red rash typically appears, usually as a stripe across one side of the torso, though it can also develop on the face, neck, or around one eye. The rash progresses to fluid-filled blisters that break open, crust over, and gradually heal over two to four weeks.

Pain is the hallmark feature of shingles — and for many patients, it is the most disruptive aspect of the illness.

The Complication That Changes Lives: Postherpetic Neuralgia

The most serious and common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) — a condition in which nerve pain persists long after the rash has resolved. This pain can last months to years, and in some patients, it becomes a permanent condition.

PHN has been described as a deep, burning, electric-shock-like pain that interferes with sleep, movement, concentration, and everyday function. For older adults already managing chronic conditions, PHN can compound the burden of illness significantly and contribute to social isolation, depression, and reduced quality of life.

Other potential complications of shingles include:

• Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (shingles affecting the eye), which can cause vision loss or blindness if untreated
• Ramsay Hunt Syndrome — a facial nerve complication causing facial paralysis and hearing loss
• Secondary bacterial skin infections
• Pneumonia, hepatitis, or central nervous system involvement in severe cases

This is why early recognition and prevention are so important. Treatment with antiviral medications is most effective when started within 72 hours of rash onset — but the best strategy, by far, is avoiding shingles altogether.

Who Is Most at Risk?

While any adult who has had chickenpox can develop shingles, certain factors increase the risk considerably:

• Age 50 and older — the risk rises sharply after this threshold
• Immunocompromising conditions, including HIV, cancer, diabetes, or autoimmune disease
• Use of immunosuppressive medications such as corticosteroids, chemotherapy, or biologics
• History of significant physical or emotional stress
• Family history of shingles

For immunocompromised individuals, shingles can occur at any age and tends to be more severe — which is why updated NACI guidance now strongly recommends vaccination for immunocompromised adults aged 18 and older, not just those over 50.

The Shingles Vaccine: What Canadians Need to Know

The good news: there is a highly effective vaccine available in Canada — and it’s your most powerful tool against shingles.

Shingrix® (recombinant zoster vaccine, or RZV) is the only shingles vaccine currently authorized in Canada, following the discontinuation of the older live-attenuated vaccine in 2023. Shingrix is a two-dose, non-live recombinant vaccine recommended for:

• All immunocompetent adults aged 50 and older
• All immunocompromised adults aged 18 and older (updated NACI recommendation, May 2025)

The two doses are typically given two to six months apart. Shingrix has demonstrated strong efficacy in clinical trials — over 90% effectiveness at preventing shingles in adults over 50. It also significantly reduces the risk and severity of PHN when shingles does occur.

Side effects to expect:

Shingrix is known for its reactogenicity — meaning it commonly causes a strong immune response, including soreness at the injection site, fatigue, muscle aches, and sometimes low-grade fever. These effects are temporary (typically lasting two to three days) and are a normal sign the vaccine is working. Your pharmacist can help you prepare for and manage these short-term effects.

A note on previous shingles:

If you have previously had shingles, you can and should still get vaccinated. Current guidance recommends waiting approximately one year after the last episode before receiving Shingrix.

Do I need a booster?

At this time, there are no recommendations for booster doses beyond the initial two-dose series. The research on duration of protection continues to evolve, and your pharmacist or physician can keep you informed as guidance is updated.

Vaccine Access in Ontario: What You Need to Know

In Ontario, Shingrix is publicly funded for adults aged 65 to 70. Outside of this eligibility window, the vaccine is available at a cost — approximately $150 to $200 per dose (two doses required). Some private drug benefit plans cover all or part of the cost, so it’s worth checking your coverage.

For eligible patients, receiving both doses is essential to achieving full protection. Completing the two-dose series remains a challenge for some Canadians, and pharmacists play a critical role in supporting adherence through patient education and proactive follow-up.

The Centrum Pharmacy Difference: Pharmacist-Led Shingles Care

At Centrum Pharmacy, shingles vaccination is more than a transaction — it’s part of a Complete, Comprehensive, Caring, and Connected approach to your health.

Our pharmacists are clinical healthcare providers who can:

• Assess your eligibility and vaccination history
• Administer both doses of Shingrix safely and professionally
• Counsel you on what to expect, including side effects and timing
• Identify whether you qualify for publicly funded vaccination
• Work with your physician or specialist through our connection with Orleans Family Health Clinic when needed
• Flag interactions with existing medications or conditions that may affect your vaccination plan

This integrated, pharmacist-led model means you don’t have to navigate your vaccination care alone. Whether you’re a rostered patient at Orleans Family Health Clinic or a community member walking through our doors, our team is here to ensure you receive the protection you need.

Shingles is preventable. The pain, the disruption, the months of nerve discomfort — these outcomes are not inevitable. Speak with your Centrum pharmacist today, or visit centrumpharmacy.com to learn more.

Disclaimer: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please do not initiate, modify, or discontinue any treatment, medication, or supplement solely based on this information. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider first. Full Disclaimer.