The burden of illness and healthcare resource utilisation associated with herpes zoster is substantial, causing severe loss of quality of life (QoL). Herpes zoster incidence varies from 1.5 to 5.0/ 1,000 person-years in adults of all ages, and reaches 10 cases/ 1,000 person-years in individuals aged ≥60. The most frequent and debilitating complication is post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). In the absence of antiviral therapy, up to 45% of ≥60 year-olds experience pain which persists for 6 months to a year. The importance of preventive strategies for PHN is becoming widely recognised. Systematic reviews confirm the short-term benefits gained from antiviral drugs, but they do not reduce the incidence of PHN. When, complementary analgesic drugs are often required, prescribing advised medications in old, frail, co-morbid and poly-medicated patients must be carefully considered. Consequently, the first HZ vaccine with proven efficacy thus promotes healthy ageing and improved quality of life.