The shingles vaccine is now being offered to more people to protect them at an earlier age and NHS Ayrshire & Arran is inviting eligible people to come forward.
Although shingles 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 are eligible:
- 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.
Ayrshire patients are being invited by letter to attend a local appointment for their shingles vaccine. For the vaccine to offer effective protection you need two doses, which are given at least two months apart.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Public Health Director Lynne McNiven said:
“The delivery of shingles vaccinations will transfer from GP practices to our mass vaccination teams, who are preparing to roll out the programme with our first clinics beginning on Monday 22 January. These will be taking place in community venues around Ayrshire.
“Shingles can be nasty and is 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 at the moment, 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