At what age is the shingles vaccine administered?

The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults aged 50 years and older, but it is most commonly administered starting at age 60. While the answer provided identifies age 70, the important point is that the recommendation for vaccination is primarily aimed at reducing the risk of shingles and its complications in older adults, with emphasis on those at higher risk, particularly those 60 years and older.

The effectiveness of the vaccine is enhanced when given to individuals who are at least 60 years old because this group is more susceptible to shingles and its potential complications. Therefore, the widely accepted practice is to start offering the vaccine at age 60, with continued recommendations beyond this age, reflecting increased vulnerability to the virus as one ages.

Overall, the shingles vaccine is a critical public health measure to prevent the incidence and impact of shingles in older populations, with the age of 60 being a key threshold for administration.