Attorney Aaron Siri on Chickenpox Vaccine

In the United States, there are an estimated 258.4 million adults (18 years and older).

Fewer than 100 adults die from shingles in the U.S. each year. Almost all of these deaths occur in older adults or individuals with weakened immune systems. 

So, Out of 256 MILLION Adults in the US, there is less than 100 deaths a year.

For ALL adults in the US, the odds of dying from shingles is 2.56 MILLION to 1.

While the exact number of deaths specifically among adults over 85 is not regularly reported, the risk of dying from shingles is highest among individuals over 80. A study analyzing data from 2011 to 2015 found that 10 out of 18 shingles-related deaths occurred in people aged 80 years and older. 

So, if only 10 of the less than 100 cases shingles related deaths annually for adults of 80 years old, your odd of dying from shingles is 256,000 to 1.

I’ll take those odd all day long.

Yes, the chickenpox vaccine given to adults is generally the same vaccine given to children. Specifically, the vaccine called Varivax is approved for use in both children and adults, according to Immunize.org.