how often can you get shingles

Most people get shingles only once in their lifetime, but it is possible to get shingles more than once. Recurrence happens in about 1.2% to 9.6% of people who have had shingles, and it is more common in individuals with weakened immune systems, where the rate can be up to 18%. The average time between the first infection and a recurrence is about 2 to 3 years, but it can vary widely. Shingles usually clears up within 3 to 5 weeks, but pain may persist longer. Receiving the shingles vaccine, such as Shingrix, significantly reduces the risk of shingles and recurrences, even if someone has had shingles before.