Because the virus can’t be eliminated from the body, treatment for shingles includes taking medicines to shorten the length and severity of the illness and to help ease pain and control symptoms until the condition clears up. However, you can take preventive care measures by getting a shingles vaccine.
Recombinant zoster vaccine, also known as Shingrix, has been in use since 2017. Shingrix requires two injections, with the second dose given 2-6 months after the first. Due to greater effectiveness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends Shingrix vaccine and suggests those who received a different zoster vaccine (also known as Zostavax) in the past should be revaccinated with Shingrix for greater protection against shingles. As of November 2020, Zostavax is no longer available in the United States.