Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, is a painful and potentially debilitating viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) – the same virus that causes chickenpox. The infection primarily affects individuals who have previously had chickenpox, as the virus remains dormant in nerve cells for years before reactivating later in life. Shingles is characterized by a blistering rash that often occurs on one side of the body and is accompanied by severe pain.
The development of a vaccine to prevent herpes zoster has been a significant medical endeavor, driven by the need to reduce the incidence and severity of this condition among older adults and individuals with compromised immune systems.