Diabetes
Diabetes has been associated with an increased risk of shingles.6 Complicated diabetes can increase the risk of severe RSV.7
In 2025, it is estimated that 22.7 million individuals aged ≥50 years have diabetes.8*
For US Healthcare Professionals
For US HCPs
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When it comes to shingles or RSV, are you identifying patients at INCREASED RISK?
Actor portrayals.
As a specialist, you see your patients with routine frequency, and each visit is an opportunity to discuss the risk of shingles or RSV.
Could the care you provide be disrupted by shingles or RSV?
RSV=respiratory syncytial virus.
Understanding shingles and RSV
Review the following information on shingles and RSV prior to speaking with patients who are at increased risk.
Shingles
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV).1 Shingles causes a painful blistering rash that typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks and can lead to serious complications, including postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO).1,2 PHN is long-term pain in the area where the rash was and occurs in 10%-18% of cases. HZO can occur in 10%-25% of shingles cases and could lead to ocular complications and, in rare cases, vision loss.2,3
Facts About Shingles
- An estimated 1 million cases of shingles occur annually in the United States1
- Shingles can be painful and can lead to serious or long-lasting complications2
- About 99.5% of people aged 50 years and older are infected with VZV1
- In 1 in 3 people, dormant VZV reactivates in their lifetime and causes shingles1
- Starting at 50 years old, the risk of developing shingles sharply increases1,3
RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus usually associated with mild symptoms consistent with an upper respiratory infection, typically resolving in 1 to 2 weeks in most adults.4 RSV can be severe, especially in very young infants and older adults, including those with weakened immune systems or chronic heart disease, or chronic lung disease such as COPD and asthma.4
Facts About RSV
- Older adults, including those with weakened immune systems or chronic heart disease, or chronic lung disease such as COPD and asthma, are at increased risk for severe RSV disease4
- Symptoms in adults are typically mild but can become severe and can be consistent with lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia4,5
- Some RSV infections can even lead to hospitalizations or death5
- In most regions of the United States and other areas with similar climates, RSV season generally starts during fall and peaks in the winter4
COPD=chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Identifying patients at increased risk of shingles or severe RSV
Adults aged 50 years and older are at an increased risk of shingles.3 In addition to age, certain chronic conditions have been associated with an increased risk of shingles.6 Older adults and adults aged 50 years and older with certain chronic medical conditions are at an increased risk for severe RSV.5 See below to learn about the associated risks of shingles or RSV for these patient types, along with the applicable CDC vaccine recommendations.
CKD
Chronic kidney disease has been associated with an increased risk of shingles.6 Chronic kidney disease can be associated with hospitalizations with RSV.9
In 2025, it is estimated that 5.6 million individuals aged ≥50 years have renal disease.8*†
CVD
Certain chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, have been associated with an increased risk of shingles and severe RSV.4,6
In 2025, tens of millions of adults aged 50 years and older are estimated to have cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. Over half (51.2%) of the adults aged ≥50 years in the United States are estimated to have hypertension.8*
COPD
COPD has been associated with an increased risk for shingles and severe RSV.4,6
In 2025, it is estimated that 12.6 million individuals aged ≥50 years have COPD.8*
Asthma
Asthma has been associated with an increased risk for shingles and severe RSV.4,6
In 2025, it is estimated that 10.8 million individuals aged ≥50 years have asthma.8*
- *
Estimated number of adults aged ≥50 years with select comorbidities are based on prevalence estimates obtained from a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of pooled 2011-2020 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) on self-reports of diagnoses by an HCP. The study included 26,280 adults aged ≥20 years, with population weights provided by NHANES used to subsequently extrapolate findings to the entire 2020 US non-institutionalized adult population. Prevalence estimates of comorbidities were then extrapolated to 2025 population estimates obtained from the US Census Bureau.8
- †
Renal disease described as weak or failing kidneys not including kidney stones, bladder infections, or incontinence in NHANES questionnaire.8
- CDC=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CKD=chronic kidney disease; CVD=cardiovascular disease; HCP=healthcare professional.
Review additional resources and vaccine recommendations to help support your vaccination efforts
References
Shingles (herpes zoster). Clinical overview of shingles (herpes zoster). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed June 27, 2024. Accessed July 16, 2025.
Clinical features of shingles (herpes zoster). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed May 10, 2024. Accessed July 16, 2025.
Harpaz R, Ortega-Sanchez IR, Seward JF; 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.
Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV). Clinical overview of RSV. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed August 18, 2025. Accessed January 28, 2026.
Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV). RSV in adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed July 8, 2025. Accessed July 9, 2025.
Marra F, Parhar K, Huang B, Vadlamudi N. Risk factors for herpes zoster infection: a meta-analysis. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2020;7(1):1-8.
Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV). RSV vaccine guidance for adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed July 8, 2025. Accessed November 20, 2025.
Data on file, GSK.
Havers FP, Whitaker M, Melgar M, et al. Characteristics and outcomes among adults aged ≥60 years hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus — RSV-NET, 12 states, July 2022–June 2023. MMWR. 2023;72(40):1075-1082.