Black children are less likely than white or Asian children to develop shingles after receiving the varicella vaccine to prevent chickenpox

A new study shows that shingles risk is 60% lower in black children compared to white children and 70% lower compared to Asian children. The lower risk in black children is consistent with previous studies showing that rates of shingles are lower in black than white adults. The lower risk of shingles found in both black children and adults may be due to genetic factors.