Zoster Incidence

It is impossible to predict who will experience zoster,1 but over 90% of adults in the US have had chickenpox and are at risk of zoster.2 The risk of zoster also increases with age,3,4 so as the population ages (the number of adults age 65 and older is expected to double between 2003 and 20305), you can expect to see more cases of zoster.6

Increasing age, increasing risk

As the population ages, you can expect to see more cases of zoster6

The incidence and severity of zoster, as well as the frequency and severity of postherpetic neuralgia, increase with age.7,3,4

  • 50% of people living to age 85 will experience zoster.4
  • The lifetime incidence of zoster is 10% to 20% in the general population.4
  • More than 90% of the US adult population has had chickenpox and is at risk for zoster.2
  • There is no way to predict when the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) will reactivate or who will develop zoster.6

The population age 65 and older is projected to double from 36 million in 2003 to 72 million in 2030.5

Increasing age, increasing risk–Learn more about zoster incidence