A new vaccine is available to guard against shingles.  Ali Scrimenti, a doctor of pharmacy at Upstate, explains why healthy adults age 50 and older are recommended for the Shingrix vaccine, which is given in a series of two shots two to six months apart. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus that causes painful rashes. People who were vaccinated against chickenpox or shingles have a lower risk of developing shingles. With a national shortage of the Shingrix vaccine, Scrimenti recommends calling your pharmacy ahead of time to make sure the vaccine is in stock.