News

Shingles - What’s changed?

We are aware there has been an alteration to the Shingles vaccination programme and that you may have had a letter or message from NHS England

What is the new Vaccine?

The new vaccine is called Shingrix and is a non-live vaccine which is considered to have longer lasting effects and can be given to immunosuppressed patients. It does however require you to have 2 injections spaced between 6 weeks and 6 months apart.

For further information see the website link http://www.nhs.uk/condistions/vaccinations/shingles-vaccination/

Who can have this?

There are 3 groups of people we can vaccinate with the new Shingrix vaccine.

1. Patients who are 50 years old and over (up to end of life) who are immunosuppressed.
2. Patients turning 65 with a birthdate between 1^st September 1958 and 31^st Aug 1959.
3. Patients turning 70 with a birthdate between 1^st September 1953 and 31^st August 1954

I’m already 70 or over what does this mean for me?

Anyone who has already turned 70 and upto 80 years old before 1^st September 2023 is eligible for the Zostavax single live vaccine and is not included in the new programme offering the Shingrix non live 2 part vaccine. You will still be offered the Zostavax vaccine until NHS England central stock supplies are used up. After which we will then be able to offer the new vaccine, we are unsure how long this will take but could potentially be at least a year.

I turned 65 before 1^st September 2023 what does this mean for me?

You will be offered a vaccination when you turn 70.

I am already 66-69 what does this mean for me?

You will be offered a vaccination when you turn 70.

I have already had my 1^st Shingrix vaccination when will I get my 2^nd one?

Immunosuppressed patients should have their 2^nd vaccination between 6 weeks and 6 months of the 1^st dose.

65- & 70-year-olds who are not immunosuppressed will receive their 2^nd dose between 6 months and 12 months of the 1st dose.

Where possible we will book in both your 1^st and 2^nd doses, so you know when to come back.

I have already had the old style vaccine (Zostavax) already what does this mean for me?

You will not be invited to come again the old vaccine is still effective and you do not need an additional vaccination.

As this programme is quite complex and we will need to add several different types of clinics please wait for your invitation from us before contacting the health centre. We are aiming to start booking in patients at the end of October after our main Flu campaign.

This programme has been estimated to take 10 years to complete. From Year 6 (2028) it will also include patients turning 60.