• Globally, shingles will affect up to 1 in 3 people in their lifetime,^{[i],[ii],[iii],[iv]} and its pain is often described as aching, burning, stabbing or shock-like¹
• ‘Understanding Shingles’ research, conducted in Ireland launched in time for Shingles Awareness Week 2024 (26^th February – 3^rd March), finds a widespread lack of understanding of shingles and its lifetime risk
• 71% of over-50s perceive shingles to be a severe disease ⁵
• Almost a third (29%) of over 50s in Ireland incorrectly believe that if they’ve had chicken pox in the past, they have a low risk of getting shingles ⁵
• 56% of over-50s feel that they are at high risk of developing shingles
• Almost one in five people over 50 incorrectly believe that having had shingles previously means they will not get it again ⁵

 

GSK Ireland today released new data from an Irish survey, commissioned and funded by GSK, highlighting some significant gaps in the understanding of shingles risk among people aged 50 and over, a group of adults already at risk of the disease with almost two thirds (64%) of Irish people over 50 believing that shingles will have an extremely negative impact on their quality of life.⁵

 

The launch of the survey findings is part of Shingles Awareness Week (26 February 2024 – 3 March 2024), a global campaign led by GSK in collaboration with the International Federation on Ageing (IFA). The aim is to raise awareness and address the lack of knowledge about the risks and impact of shingles and to encourage those at risk to speak with their doctor, practice nurse or pharmacist about the risk factors for shingles and shingles prevention.

 

The GSK ‘Understanding Shingles’ research, conducted in Ireland, reveals that 71% of respondents perceive shingles to be a serious disease with 56% of respondents feeling that they are at high risk of developing shingles.⁵ It also shows that people over 50 in Ireland have good awareness of the common symptoms of shingles – including a red rash (97%), severe pain (88%), blisters (77%) and long-term nerve pain (77%).⁵ However, only 58% of those asked were aware that one of the possible complications of shingles on the eye can cause blindness.⁵ Knowledge also differed on contributing factors such as a weakened immune system (68%), being under stress (45%) and age-related declining immunity (48%).⁵

 

One-in-three people who have had chickenpox are at risk of developing shingles in their lifetime.⁶ The disease, which typically presents as a rash, with painful blisters across the chest, abdomen or face,⁷ is often described as aching, burning, stabbing or shock-like.¹ Following the shingles rash, a person can also experience post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a long-lasting nerve pain that can last weeks or months and occasionally persist for several years. ^1,4 PHN occurs in around 20% of all shingles cases, with the over-50s particularly at risk.⁸

 

Eavan Daly, Country Medical Director, GSK Ireland, said: “It is so important that we continue our efforts to raise awareness of the risk of shingles in adults over 50. Market research conducted in Ireland shows that many older adults have limited knowledge of the condition and who is most at risk. Shingles can be a debilitating disease that can significantly impact the quality of day-to-day life for those impacted. During our disease awareness campaign launching this week, we’re asking people over the age of 50 to talk to a healthcare professional about this painful condition that will affect many of us in our lifetime. Based on our market research and feedback from health care professionals we’ve found that disease awareness campaigns like this can help encourage people to learn more about the condition and discuss it with their health care professional.”

 

Most adults already have the virus that causes shingles present in their bodies by the age of 15,⁹ which may reactivate with advancing age.¹ Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox.¹ As people age, the strength of the immune system response to infection wanes, increasing the risk of developing shingles.¹ There is a sharp increase in the risk of developing shingles in people aged 50 and older.¹

 

Martina Phelan, Chair of Chronic Pain Ireland, said: “Shingles can be very painful and can feel like burning, shooting, stabbing or even constant unbearable itching. It does not happen to everyone, and it may only last for a few weeks, but some people can experience postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a chronic condition that is difficult to treat and may cause pain for months, or longer. We are pleased to be part of this Shingles disease awareness campaign, which we see as an important way to help adults understand their risks and the potential complications associated with this disease.”

 

About Shingles Awareness Week 

Shingles Awareness Week (26 February 2024 – 3 March 2024) is an annual global awareness week dedicated to addressing the lack of knowledge about the risks and severity of shingles. In collaboration with the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), Shingles Awareness Week was set up to encourage informed conversations between adults, particularly if aged 50 and over, and their healthcare professionals about shingles.

 

Visit www.understandingshingles.ie to learn more about shingles.

 

To help improve public awareness of shingles, GSK Ireland will be running a shingles disease awareness campaign across television and radio as well as outdoor advertisements including billboards and bus shelters. These encourage the public to speak to a healthcare professional and visit understandingshingles.ie.

 

About the Shingles in Ireland survey

Research into perceptions of shingles in Ireland was conducted by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of GSK. Fieldwork was carried out between 16 and 31 October 2023​. 300 people aged between 50 and 70+ years participated in the online survey. Respondents were recruited to match national proportions in terms of region where they live​, gender​ and working situation​.

 

About shingles

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox.¹ By age 50, VZV is present in most adults,² which may reactivate with advancing age.⁷ As people age, the strength of the immune system response to infection wanes, increasing the risk of developing shingles.¹

 

Shingles typically presents as a rash, with painful blisters across the chest, abdomen, or face.⁷ The pain is often described as aching, burning, stabbing or shock-like.¹

 

Following the rash, a person can also experience post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a long-lasting nerve pain that can last weeks or months and can occasionally persist for several years.¹ PHN is the most common complication of shingles, occurring in 20% of all shingles cases.⁸

About GSK Ireland

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. We have a long heritage in Ireland, operating here for almost 100 years. Today, our Dublin headquarters is home to our commercial business. Through our sales, marketing, market access and medical teams, we make a range of over 100 prescription medicines and vaccines available to adults in Ireland. Find out more at gsk.com/en- gb/locations/ireland/

About Chronic Pain Ireland
Established in 1992, Chronic Pain Ireland is the national organisation providing information and support services to people living with chronic pain. Chronic Pain is a registered charity and works with all stakeholders including those living with chronic pain, their families and carers, health professionals, students, researchers, and others interested in chronic pain. For more information see: https://www.chronicpain.ie/

[i] Harpaz R, et al. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention of herpes zoster: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008;57(RR-5):1-30.

[ii] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Shingles in Australia. Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/759199ff-f5c8-421d-a572-aaa984a02b49/aihw-phe-236_shingles.pdf.aspx. Last Accessed: November 2023

[iii] Lee C, et al. Lifetime risk of herpes zoster in the population of Beijing, China. Public Health in Practice. 2023 Jun;5:100356.

[iv] Curran D, et al. Meta-Regression of Herpes Zoster Incidence Worldwide. Infect Dis Ther. 2022 Feb;11(1):389-403.

⁵ Data on File. Shingles Vaccine ATU Ireland Consumers by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of GSK. November 2023.

⁶ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention of Herpes Zoster; recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP). MMWR, 2008 Jun;57(RR-5): 1-30.

⁷ Mueller NH, et al. Varicella Zoster Virus Infection: Clinical Features, Molecular Pathogenesis of Disease and Latency. Neurologic Clinics. 2008;26;675-697

⁸ Gauthier et al. Epidemiology and costs of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in the United Kingdom. Epidemiol Infecti. 2009 137 38-472.

⁹ Bollaerts K, Riera-Montes M, Heininger U, et al. A systemic Review of varicella seroprevalence in European countries before universal childhood immunisation: Deriving incidence from seroprevalence data. Epidemiol Infect. 2017 Aug;145:2666-77.