Viola Davis is sharing a health story she has kept private for about a decade. The EGOT winner revealed she has had shingles twice, describing the pain as a nine out of ten, so intense that simple things like walking or lying down became a struggle. She is telling her story through a new GSK awareness campaign called“Shingles, actually,”directed by filmmaker Maya Table.
The campaign is about more than the virus. Davis is using her platform to challenge the“strong Black woman”narrative, the pressure to appear invincible and avoid asking for help. Her message is that seeing a doctor is not weakness, it is strength. In her words, by the time you finally go, you already know something is wrong and you already want answers.
The CDC recommends the Shingrix vaccine for adults 50 and older, and for adults 19 and older with weakened immune systems. Shingles affects about one in three Americans, so the reminder applies to plenty of people we know and love. Who is the person in your life who always says“I’m fine”and needs to hear this?
About the Author
Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
