Eligible people who have received their first shingles vaccine since 1 September last year are being invited back to vaccine clinics in Ayrshire to get their second dose. Having both doses of vaccine provides the best protection against the illness, which can be serious for some people.
While it can occur at any age, the risk and severity of shingles and its complications increases with age and is also high in individuals who are severely immunosuppressed. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations has given recommendations and the following groups have been invited for vaccination in this programme:
- people aged 65 years or 70 years on 1 September 2023,
- people aged 71-79 years who have not previously been vaccinated,
- people aged 50 and over and are severely immunosuppressed,
- stem cell transplant recipients age 18 years and over, and
- people having or have had CAR-T therapy and are 18 years and over.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Public Health Director Lynne McNiven said:
“The delivery of shingles vaccinations has now transferred from GP practices to our Public Health mass vaccination teams. Since January we have been welcoming eligible Ayrshire patients to our clinics to receive their first doses of shingles vaccination and now we are inviting everyone back to have their second dose to complete the course. Having both doses, given at least two months apart, offers the most effective protection against shingles so I’d encourage everyone to return to complete their vaccination course.
“Shingles can be particularly serious for older people or those who are severely immunosuppressed. One in four adults develops shingles so it is important to take the vaccine when invited. Getting vaccinated can reduce your risk of being hospitalised or experiencing long-term pain from shingles if you do get it. You can get shingles more than once, so even if you’ve had the virus previously, you should still take up the offer of vaccination.
“Letters are being posted out to eligible local people from this week, so look out for your appointment details and if they’re not suitable for whatever reason please follow the instructions on the letter to reschedule.”
ENDS
BACKGROUND
- You’re eligible for the free shingles vaccine if you were aged 70 or 65 on 1 September 2023. This excludes people who were aged 66 to 69 on this date. If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, you can use the age eligibility calculator to check.
For more on shingles vaccine visit https://www.nhsinform.scot/shingles