Vaccination against shingles guide
Updated 20 November 2024
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/shingles-vaccination-for-adults-aged-70-or-79-years-of-age-a5-leaflet/vaccination-against-shingles-guide-from-september-2023
The NHS offers a vaccine that reduces your risk of developing shingles. This guide describes the national shingles programme, the benefits of the vaccine and who is eligible.
The current vaccine for the shingles programme is called Shingrix. You will need 2 doses of Shingrix for the best protection. Your GP practice will contact you once you are eligible. You may also be able to have your Shingrix vaccines at some pharmacies.
Unlike most other infections, you don’t catch shingles from someone else. Most of us had chickenpox when we were young, although some of us will not be aware that we’ve had it. After you have chickenpox, the virus remains dormant living in the nerves. For most of your life, you will not be aware of this, but from time to time the virus can come back and spread to the skin causing a disease called shingles.
Shingles can be very painful and tends to affect people more commonly as they get older. This can be because your immune system is weakened by increasing age, by stress or by a range of medical conditions and treatments.
For some, the pain caused by shingles can last for many years. Shingles can really affect your life, stopping you from doing all the things you usually enjoy.
About shingles
Cause and symptoms of shingles
Shingles (also known as herpes zoster) is caused by the dormant chickenpox virus spreading to an area of skin served by one of the nerves. It results in clusters of extremely painful and itchy, fluid-filled blisters. These blisters can burst and turn into sores that eventually crust over and heal. These blisters usually affect an area on one side of the body, most commonly the chest, but sometimes also the head, face and eye.
How long shingles lasts and how serious it can be
The first signs of shingles can be feeling generally unwell with a tingling or burning feeling in an area of skin on one side of the body. A painful rash with fluid-filled blisters usually appears a few days after the initial symptoms.
Shingles on the body can cause severe pain. If shingles develops in the eye and eyelid, it can lead to decreased vision or even permanent blindness in that eye.
Incidence of Shingles
About one in 5 people who have had chickenpox will develop shingles. This means that every year in England and Wales, tens of thousands of people will have shingles. Although shingles can occur at any age, the risk, severity and the complications of shingles all increase with age.
Post-herpetic neuralgia
Each year, about 14,000 people go on to develop post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) after shingles and over 1,400 are admitted to hospital because of PHN.
Most people recover fully after a few weeks, but for some, the pain goes on for several months or even years – this is called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). This is a particularly unpleasant condition with severe burning, throbbing or stabbing nerve pain.
The older you are, the more likely you are to have long-lasting pain. The shingles vaccine reduces the risk of getting shingles and PHN.
How shingles spreads
Shingles does not spread as easily as chickenpox, but the fluid in the blisters does contain the chickenpox virus. So someone who is not immune to chickenpox can catch the infection if they are in contact with this fluid.
If you have a shingles rash you should cover the rash with loose clothing to reduce the risk of spreading chickenpox. Pregnant women who have not had chickenpox, people with a weakened immune system and newborn babies should avoid direct contact with the rash.
Who will get the shingles vaccine
From 1 September 2023, the vaccine programme is being offered to the following:
- healthy people aged 70 to 79 years who have not yet been vaccinated
- people aged 50 years and over with a severely weakened immune system
- healthy people aged 60 to 70 years will become eligible for the vaccine over the next 5 years, when they turn 65 or 70 years
You will remain eligible for the shingles vaccine until your 80th birthday, unless you have a weakened immune system; people with a severely weakened immune system remain eligible for vaccine. The sooner you have the vaccine, the earlier you will be protected.
The timeline for the phased implementation of the change to eligible age for immunocompetent patients is available on GOV.UK. Details of who can get the vaccine in the first 5 years of the programme are shown in the chart.
Younger people and the vaccine
Younger people will be offered the vaccine when they reach the eligible age.
Shingles can occur at any age but the risk, severity and complications increase with age. Those with severely weakened immune systems are at higher risk and that is why the vaccine is recommended at an earlier age.
If you have a shingles vaccine you will be given a record card with your name and the date of the next appointment if you need a second dose. Please keep it in a safe place.
Side effects
Side effects from both Shingrix vaccines are usually quite mild and don’t last very long. The most common side effects (occurring in at least one in every 10 people) are:
- pain and redness at the injection site
- general muscle aches
- headache
You may feel tired and have a fever after Shingrix vaccine. You can rest and take the normal dose of paracetamol (follow the advice in the packaging) to help make you feel better. Do not use machines or drive if you are feeling unwell. You should feel better after a few days but if your symptoms persist for longer, you should discuss these with your GP or practice nurse.
If you experience any suspected side effects to the vaccine, you can report these on the Yellow Card website, by calling 0800 731 6789 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) or by downloading the Yellow Card app.
Vaccine safety
Like all licensed vaccines, the shingles vaccines have been thoroughly tested and meet strict UK safety and licensing requirements.
It has been used extensively in Europe and North America for the last few years.
Effectiveness of the vaccination
By having the vaccination you will significantly reduce your chance of developing shingles.
In the first 5 years of the national herpes zoster programme, there were 40,500 fewer GP consultations for shingles related disease and 1,840 fewer hospitalisations.
If you do go on to develop shingles, the symptoms are likely to be milder and the illness shorter than if you had not had the vaccination. The Shingrix vaccine used in the UK has been shown to provide good protection.
How and when the vaccine is given
Like most vaccinations, the vaccine will be given as an injection in your upper arm.
Shingrix is a non-live vaccine and you will need 2 doses to give you the best longer-lasting protection.
For most people the second dose of Shingrix will be offered from about 6 months after the first dose. If you have a severely weakened immune system your second dose of Shingrix should be given earlier, but at least 8 weeks after dose one.
Your GP practice will let you know when to book for the second dose.
Changes to the vaccine programme
Under the current programme, everyone aged 70 to 79 years is eligible for shingles vaccine. The programme is being extended gradually, starting with those at highest risk, as recommended by the Joint Committee Vaccination Immunisation (JCVI). Over the next 10 years, the programme will eventually include all those from 60 years of age.
Individuals age 50 years or over with a severely weakened immune system are already eligible for the Shingrix vaccine.
Eligibility for the vaccine
When you become eligible for your shingles vaccine, your GP surgery will contact you to book an appointment. However, if you are worried about shingles you should contact your GP surgery for advice.
People who shouldn’t have the vaccine
If you’ve had a severe reaction to any of the substances that go into the vaccine, you might not be able to have it. Your GP practice will advise you.
Getting shingles from the vaccine
The Shingrix vaccines cannot give you shingles. If you develop a rash, you can call NHS 111 or call your GP practice for advice.
Missing your vaccination
For most people, the shingles vaccine will be offered until they are aged 80 years. However, if you have a severely weakened immune system, vaccine can be given up to any age.
For the best protection you should have the vaccine or complete the course at the recommended time. Contact your GP practice to make another appointment.
Eligibility for Shingrix vaccine after Zostavax
If you were given Zostavax as part of the routine immunisation programme when you were between 70 and 79 years of age then you do not need 2 doses of the Shingrix vaccine now.
Don’t delay. If you are eligible, try to have your vaccine as soon as possible.
Remember, when you become eligible for immunisation you should make an appointment to have your vaccine as soon as possible to ensure you have the best protection.
Further information
If you would like more information before or after you have the vaccination, speak to your GP or practice nurse.
You can also visit the NHS website for its shingles vaccine overview.
You find information about the shingles vaccine Shingrix on the patient information leaflet (PIL)
If you have a severely weakened immune system (severely immunosuppressed) you will be offered the shingles vaccine from 50 years of age
You become eligible on your 70th birthday
| Dates of birth | Programme start date | Programme year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 September 1953 – 31 August 1954 | 1 September 2023 | Year 1 |
| 1 September 1954 – 31 August 1955 | 1 September 2024 | Year 2 |
| 1 September 1955 – 31 August 1956 | 1 September 2025 | Year 3 |
| 1 September 1956 – 31 August 1957 | 1 September 2026 | Year 4 |
| 1 September 1957 – 31 August 1958 | 1 September 2027 | Year 5 |
You become eligible on your 65th birthday
| Dates of birth | Programme start date | Programme year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 September 1958 – 31 August 1959 | 1 September 2023 | Year 1 |
| 1 September 1959 – 31 August 1960 | 1 September 2024 | Year 2 |
| 1 September 1960 – 31 August 1961 | 1 September 2025 | Year 3 |
| 1 September 1961 – 31 August 1962 | 1 September 2026 | Year 4 |
| 1 September 1962 – 31 August 1963 | 1 September 2027 | Year 5 |
Shingles
- is a common disease that can cause long-lasting severe pain
- can cause a severe itchy rash with blisters
- can occur at any age but the risk, severity and complications increase with age
The vaccine
- is significantly reducing the number of cases
- will reduce the severity of symptoms in vaccinated people if they develop the disease
- has been used extensively in other countries such as the US and Canada
Having your routine shingles vaccination is a good way of looking after your health so that you can get on with enjoying life without the pain of shingles.
You can report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card Scheme. This can be done online by visiting the yellow card website or by calling the Yellow Card on 0800 731 6789. You can also use the QR code or by downloading the Yellow Card app.
The following charities provide information and support
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Shingles Support Society Confidential helpline: 0845 123 2305 at times between 9am and 9pm, or 020 7607 9661 Monday to Friday, 12pm to 8pm. Enquiries: 0300 030 9333
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Pain Concern Helpline Telephone: 0300 123 0789, email: help@painconcern.org.uk