Guidance

Shingles: questions and answers for healthcare professionals

The aim of the universal vaccination programme is to reduce the incidence and severity of shingles disease in older people.

• From: Public Health England and Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 12 July 2013
• Last updated: 24 February 2016 — See all updates

This publication was withdrawn on 9 April 2018

Please see the shingles collection for the latest information.

Documents

Shingles Q and A for healthcare professionals

Ref: PHE publications gateway number: 2014636

PDF, 730 KB, 23 pages

Details

Shingles is a common disease that can cause long-lasting, severe pain. It can cause permanent disability, and it occurs more frequently in those over 70 years old, who are also more likely to have worse symptoms

It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox – varicella zoster.

A universal routine herpes zoster (shingles) vaccination programme for adults aged over 70 years started in September 2013. The aim of the universal vaccination programme is to reduce the incidence and severity of shingles disease in older people.

Published 12 July 2013
Last updated 24 February 2016 + show all updates

1. 24 February 2016

   Amended document to reflect changes to the licensure of Zostavax and administration requirements.

2. 9 October 2015

   Updated shingles vaccine Q and A for healthcare professionals.

3. 23 September 2014

   The Shingles Q&A for healthcare professionals has been updated.

4. 13 September 2013

   Edits provided by Immunisation Hepatitis and Blood Safety team at PHE Colindale.

5. 23 August 2013

   Reformatted and branded version, with revisions to text following consultation.

6. 24 July 2013

   Additional questions and answers added.

7. 12 July 2013

   First published.