You generally should get the shingles vaccine (Shingrix) starting at age 50, or earlier if you have a weakened immune system, with 2 doses a few months apart.

When you should get the shingles vaccine

  • Healthy adults 50+ : Health authorities recommend 2 doses of Shingrix for all adults age 50 and older, spaced 2–6 months apart.
  • Immunocompromised adults 19+ : Adults 19 and older with weakened immune systems (from conditions like cancer treatment, HIV, transplants, or immune-suppressing medications) are advised to get 2 doses as well, often 1–2 months apart if faster protection is needed.
  • No maximum age : There is no upper age limit; you can start the series at any age above the recommended cutoff if you haven’t had it yet.

If you’ve had shingles or older vaccines

  • You should still get Shingrix even if you already had shingles in the past; it helps prevent it from coming back.
  • You should also get Shingrix even if you previously received Zostavax, the older shingles vaccine that is no longer used in many places.
  • If you just recovered from shingles, most guidance says you can get Shingrix once the rash has fully gone and you feel recovered; there’s no required waiting period beyond that, though your doctor may suggest timing based on your situation.

Timing between doses

  • Standard schedule for most people:
    • Dose 1 at your chosen start date (typically once you turn 50).
    • Dose 2 between 2 and 6 months later.
  • If you are immunocompromised or about to start strong immune-suppressing treatment, your clinician might give the second dose earlier (1–2 months after the first) to build protection faster.
  • If you miss the 6‑month window, you don’t need to restart the series; you just get the second dose as soon as you can.

Quick forum-style take (what people often ask)

“I’m 48 and healthy—should I wait?”
Most official guidance still says routine Shingrix at 50+, but if you have risk factors (for example, certain chronic illnesses or medications that may soon weaken your immune system), your doctor may consider starting at 19+ under the “immunocompromised” recommendation.

“I had chickenpox as a kid—do I still need it?”
Yes; shingles is a reactivation of the old chickenpox virus in your body, and Shingrix is designed to cut that risk dramatically as you age.

“Is it still worth it at 70 or 80?”
Yes; risk of shingles and complications (like long‑lasting nerve pain) rises with age, and guidelines explicitly say there is no maximum age.

SEO-style mini FAQ and notes

  • Focus keyword : when should you get shingles vaccine
  • If you are 50 or older, “now” is usually the recommended time to start unless your doctor has a specific reason to delay.
  • If you are 19–49 with a weakened immune system, ask your clinician about getting Shingrix under the special-risk recommendation.

Important: This is general information, not personal medical advice. Your exact timing should be confirmed with your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you have chronic illness, are pregnant, or are on immune‑affecting medications.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.