The CDC recently released new guidelines on who should get the shingles vaccine. Previously the CDC recommended all people over 60 who have never had shingles get the vaccine. Now they are recommending that anyone over 60, regardless of whether they’ve had shingles, should get the vaccine.

Shingles is a burning, blistering rash cause by a reactivation of the same virus that causes chicken pox. One possible complication of shingles is a condition called post-herpetic neuralgia, which causes severe pain that can last months after the rash has gone away.

The shingles vaccine is made of weakened portions of the chicken pox virus and has been shown to prevent shingles from developing or lessen the severity of the symptoms. It also helps prevent post-herpetic neuralgia. Recent studies have shown that it helps prevent recurrences even in people who’ve had shingles in the past.