A vaccine for shingles has been launched in T&T.

Shingles, also known as Herpes Zoster, is a painful disease that is estimated to affect 1 in 3 people during their lifetime.

According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, persons who have had chickenpox are at risk for shingles.

A launch event was held this week at the Hyatt Regency and attended by a number of physicians and healthcare professionals.

The vaccine is from pharmaceutical company GSK, which says it can help decrease the incidence of shingles and its complications.

This vaccine has a two-dose application schedule, however it is not free – according to a newspaper report, it will only be available at private practices and various pharmacies.