Eligible Groups for Shingles Vaccine

Shingles is a painful rash that can cause serious problems like long-lasting pain, hearing loss, or blindness. It’s more common and more dangerous as you get older or if your immune system is very weak.

What does the vaccine do?

The shingles vaccine helps:

• Stop you from getting shingles

• Make it less serious if you do get it

Who can get the vaccine?

You can get the vaccine for free on the NHS if:

1. You turn 65 on or after 1 September 2023

   • You’ll get 2 doses, 6 to 12 months apart

   • Your GP should contact you

2. You are aged 70 to 79

   • You’ll get 2 doses, 6 to 12 months apart

   • Contact your GP if you missed it

3. You are 18 or older and have a very weak immune system

   • You’ll get 2 doses, 8 weeks to 6 months apart

   • This includes people with certain cancers, HIV, or who’ve had treatments like chemotherapy or organ transplants

Who cannot have the vaccine?

Most people can have it. You should not have it only if:

• You had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose or an ingredient in the vaccine

How to get the vaccine

• Your GP will usually contact you by letter, text, phone or email

• You might be offered it during another GP appointment

• If you think you’re eligible but haven’t been contacted, speak to your GP

Other things to know

• You can get shingles more than once, so it’s important to get vaccinated even if you’ve had it before

• You can usually have the shingles vaccine at the same time as other vaccines like flu or COVID-19

• If you’re feeling very unwell or have a high temperature, wait until you feel better before getting the vaccine

Side effects

Most side effects are mild and go away in a few days. They can include:

• Sore arm

• Headache

• Feeling tired or achy

• Fever or chills

Serious side effects are very rare.

Find more information here: www.nhs.uk/shingles-vaccine