SR-70 Echoes CDC’s Vaccination Recommendations

The New Jersey State Senate has passed legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) urging New Jersey residents who are 50 and older to get vaccinated for shingles.

“Shingles is a very painful condition, and it carries serious risks, particularly for those of an advanced age, but it can still impact people who are younger,” Senator Singer explained. “The most effective way to reduce your risk is to get vaccinated, plain and simple. I urge all NJ residents who are over 50 to get vaccinated now. The shingles vaccine is virtually painless, safe, and widely-available. There is no reason to suffer.”

One in three Americans over the age of 60 will get shingles, according to the CDC.

Shingles is a painful rash caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which remains dormant in the body even after recovery from chickenpox.

The CDC also reported that shingles is becoming more common in the U.S., emphasizing the need for Senator Singer’s legislation to raise awareness of the benefits of getting vaccinated.

Senator Singer’s resolution, SR-70, cleared the State Senate on Dec. 17, 2018. A copy of the resolution can be found here.