Abstract: Objective To understand the surveillance status and progress in epidemiological research of herpes zoster in the world and provide evidence for the epidemiological research and the development of feasible surveillance protocol of herpes zoster in Beijing. Methods The analysis was conducted on the surveillance data and epidemiological research literatures of herpes zoster in USA, Canada, Australia and European countries collected through PubMed Database and the domestic literatures related collected through Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database. Result The sentinel surveillance for herpes zoster is currently conducted in USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and France respectively. The surveillance data indicated that the incidence of herpes zoster in age group 65 years increased with year. The incidence in females was higher in males. The risk factors related with herpes zoster included age, gender, mechanical trauma and immunization function. Conclusion The incidence of herpes zoster is closely related with age. The impact is more serious in the elderly. Herpes zoster has not been included in the management for communicable disease in China, it is necessary to strengthen the surveillance for herpes zoster.