This week, articles appeared in the media about the possibility that the Covid vaccine administered with the flu vaccine may increase the risk of strokes in people over the age of 65. While this may cause alarm and deter people from getting these vaccines, neither is a necessary reaction. Let’s take time to walk through the facts.

Shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus. Once you have had chickenpox, the virus stays inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, this same virus can reappear as shingles.