Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 27: A new global survey launched ahead of Shingles Action Week (23 February to 1 March 2026) highlights the significant impact of shingles on adults aged 50 and above in India living with chronic conditions, while also revealing major gaps in prevention-focused discussions. The survey, commissioned by GSK India, found that 43 per cent of Indian participants who had experienced shingles reported severe, day-disrupting pain, with over one in three saying it prevented them from working or attending social events. Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) experienced the greatest disruption, while those with diabetes and CVD reported the highest emotional toll.
Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox), typically begins as a painful rash with blisters on the chest, abdomen, or face. The disease can only be prevented through vaccination. As people age, a weakening immune system increases their susceptibility to shingles and related complications.
Despite being at higher risk, nearly one in four participants with chronic conditions knew little or nothing about shingles, and about one in three could not explain how their condition increased their risk. Nearly 75 per cent of Indian participants aged 50 and above with chronic conditions visit their doctors regularly, yet almost half (48 per cent) reported never discussing shingles with a healthcare professional. Those living with diabetes (49 per cent) and CVD (37 per cent) were among the least likely to have had such conversations.
The survey also highlighted misconceptions about risk: nearly 20 per cent believed their chronic condition did not affect their immune system, and over a third assumed that managing their chronic disease alone protected them from shingles. Among those who had developed shingles, more than one in four (26 per cent) were surprised by the severity of the disease.
Dr. Shalini Menon, Executive Vice President – Medical Affairs at GSK India, said, “India is living longer but not necessarily healthier. Ageing adults with chronic conditions face additional strain on their immune systems, making them more vulnerable to infections such as shingles. Yet the survey reveals limited awareness about the link between chronic conditions and immune health. This underscores the urgent need for informed discussions between patients and doctors.”
Global ageing trends provide further context. Japan, with an ageing population, saw a more than 50 per cent increase in shingles cases among adults aged 65 and above between 2020, leading to the inclusion of shingles vaccination in certain provincial immunisation protocols. India is following a similar trajectory, with its population aged over 60 expected to rise from 153 million today to 347 million by 2050. Currently, more than 75 million older adults in India live with at least one chronic condition, and 27 per cent manage multiple long-term illnesses, including diabetes (20 per cent) and cardiovascular diseases (29 per cent).
The convergence of ageing and chronic disease carries not just health consequences but economic ones, affecting healthcare costs, productivity, and long-term care needs. With healthcare largely financed out-of-pocket and 78 per cent of ageing adults lacking pension or financial protection, families bear the burden.
The survey underscores the need for proactive prevention, including making adult vaccinations, such as shingles, a routine part of health discussions for those with chronic conditions.
Hearing about shingles from a doctor (38 per cent) or someone they know (41 per cent) was crucial for prompting participants to start informed conversations about risk, prevention, and the potential impact on daily life. Such dialogue can reduce avoidable suffering, protect quality of life, and ease the long-term strain on India’s healthcare system.