The NHS has confirmed that a double vaccination against shingles is available free of charge for older adults aged between 65 and 80. The vaccine reduces the risk of developing serious health issues associated with the infection.
What is shingles?
Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash on one side of the body and can take up to four weeks to heal. While most people recover without any problems, the infection can sometimes lead to more serious complications, including long-lasting pain, scarring, muscle weakness, hearing loss and eye problems that can result in sight loss.
Shingles often begins with a tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin, a headache, or generally feeling unwell. A rash usually appears a few days later and can develop anywhere on the body, including on the face and eyes.
Eligibility and dosing
The risk of getting shingles increases with age or if a person has a severely weakened immune system, and the infection is more likely to cause serious problems. To minimise this risk, the NHS offers a free shingles vaccine to people aged between 65 and 80.
As of September 1, 2023, all adults are eligible for the shingles vaccine when they turn 65 and will be offered two doses, given between six and 12 months apart. If you turned 65 before September 1, 2023, you will be eligible when you turn 70 and will remain eligible up until your 80th birthday.
How to get vaccinated
Confirming the eligibility, the NHS said: “From September 1, 2023, you're eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 65. You'll be offered 2 doses of the vaccine. These are given between 6 and 12 months apart.”
“Your GP should contact you to make an appointment to have your shingles vaccine. Contact your GP surgery if you think you're eligible for the shingles vaccine and you've not been contacted about it,” the NHS added.
“You'll remain eligible until your 80th birthday (but you can have your 2nd dose up until your 81st birthday). If you turned 65 before September 1, 2023, you'll be eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 70. Everyone aged 70 to 79 is eligible for the shingles vaccine. You'll be offered 2 doses of the vaccine. These are given between 6 and 12 months apart. Contact your GP surgery if you missed your vaccine. You're eligible up until your 80th birthday (but you can have your 2nd dose up until your 81st birthday).”
It is possible to get shingles more than once, so the NHS says it is important to get vaccinated even if you have already had the infection before. Your GP surgery should contact you once you become eligible, usually via a letter, text message, phone call or email. If you are eligible and have not yet been contacted, or you did not get the vaccine when contacted and are still under 80, you should speak to your GP surgery to book or rearrange an appointment.
The NHS says side effects from the vaccine are usually mild and should get better within a few days. Symptoms can include swelling or itchiness around the injection site, a headache, feeling tired, an aching body, a high temperature and chills.
