Shingles and the varicella-zoster virus belong to the same family. Once a person has recovered from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body; when the body’s immune system weakens, the virus reactivates, causing shingles.It is estimated that 97% adults in Hong Kong have previously been infected with the varicella virus. The risk of developing shingles increases significantly for those aged 50 and over; it is therefore recommended that people get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect their health.
Shingles can be a very painful condition. The severity depends on several factors, including age and overall health. Symptoms usually include a painful rash that develops into blisters. The pain can be intense and may persist for weeks or even months after the rash has cleared. Complications can include long-term nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia), vision problems if it affects the eye, and bacterial infections.
Shingles can appear anywhere on the body, commonly on the abdomen, back, chest, buttocks, arms and legs, face, and neck. It causes sensations like burning pain and electric shocks, accompanied by a rash and blisters, which eventually scab over. The entire shingles process typically takes about 2 to 4 weeks.
Even if the rash and blisters wither and scab over, it does not mean the illness has ended. The most frightening aspect of shingles is the potential for nerve complications. Approximately 30% of patients develop persistent nerve pain after having shingles, which can affect their sleep, mood, and daily activities, potentially lasting a lifetime and requiring long-term use of painkillers to alleviate the discomfort.
In addition, shingles is equivalent to inflammation of the body, which may increase the risk of complications such as acute viral encephalitis, stroke, facial paralysis, shingles affecting the eyes, and pneumonia, potentially leading to death.
Do 2 out of 7 elderly people get shingles?
The latest local analysis and research has found that without widespread vaccination, 2 in 7 people aged 50 or over will develop shingles, 1 in 20 will experience post-herpetic neuralgia, and 1 in 100 will develop shingles on the eye.
Furthermore, research indicates that more than 50% of people aged 60 and over, as well as those who have had shingles, experience postherpetic neuralgia lasting for more than six months. There is currently no complete cure for shingles; even after recovery, if immunity drops again some time later, there is a risk of the condition recurring.
To prevent shingles and its sequelae of postherpetic neuralgia, getting the shingles vaccine (the 'snake jab') is the most effective method.
Vaccine types
Suitable for ages
Vaccination method
Vaccine combination
Number of injections
Shingles overall protection
Prevention of postherpetic neuralgia
Recombinant vaccine (next generation)
Intramuscular injection
50 and over
High-risk individuals aged 18 and over
Containing inactivated recombinant antigen and adjuvant
2 doses, 2-6 months apart
Over 90%
Aged 50–59: 97%
Aged 80 and over: 91%
89%-91%
Live attenuated vaccine (traditional)
50 and over
Subcutaneous injection
Attenuated virus
Just one injection
Approx. 50%
Aged 50–59: 70%
Aged 80 and over: 18%
65%-66%
According to the recommendations of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two doses of the shingles vaccine should be administered to individuals aged 50 and over, and to those aged 18 and over who are at high risk. It is important to note that the Hong Kong government does not currently offer free/subsidised shingles vaccinations. Citizens will need to visit private healthcare institutions to receive the vaccine.
*Information provided by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
