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The NHS will offer the shingles vaccine to roughly one million more people from September 2023 after trials showed the vaccine was highly effective and safe for older and immunocompromised people.
Currently, the vaccine is only available to people over the age of 70, but now anyone over the age of 50 and those who are severely immunosuppressed will be eligible for the vaccine.
The trial data from the ZOSTER-049 study showed that the Shingrix vaccine conferred at least 10 years of protection against shingles in adults aged 50 and older.
Furthermore, the overall vaccine efficacy of the vaccine was found to be above 80% during a follow-up period of roughly six to 10 years post-immunisation.
Following the results of this trial, the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommending that the Shingrix vaccine should be extended to anyone above the age of 50.
What is shingles?
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. The first signs of shingles are usually a tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin and a headache or feeling generally unwell. The rash then follows a few days later.
The rash (blotches on the skin) can appear anywhere, but it usually only affects one side of the body. The blotches often itch and ooze fluid, which then dry out and scab a few days later.
There is no cure for shingles, but symptoms usually get better within two to four weeks. However, older adults with shingles are at risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a complication of shingles which results in long-term nerve pain.
PHN occurs where the shingles rash was located, even after the rash clears up. It can last for months or years after the rash goes away. It is an extremely painful condition which can interfere with daily life.
Rarely, shingles can also lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, brain inflammation and death. Again, these complications are more likely in older people and people with weakened immune systems
However, the vaccine can significantly reduce the risk of people developing shingles and experiencing the complications of the virus.
Those who are eligible “strongly urged” to get the vaccine
The NHS says patients will be contacted by their GP practice when they are eligible for the vaccine, however, GPs and practice nurses may also offer the vaccines opportunistically, such as during routine visits or check-ups, to make it as easy as possible for patients to get the jab.
Anyone who has already been vaccinated against shingles, and received the Zostavax vaccine, does not need re-vaccination with Shingrix, and immunocompromised individuals who have already received 2 doses of Shingrix do not need re-vaccination.
For those that are immunocompromised, the gap between doses is from eight weeks to six months. For those that are immunocompetent, the gap is six to 12 months.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Shingles is an extremely painful condition and complications can be long-lasting. Older people and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.
“A newly available vaccine, Shingrix, is being offered on the NHS from September to those aged 65 and 70 years, and to those with severely weakened immune systems from 50 years of age.
“Two doses of vaccine are highly effective in reducing your risk of getting shingles, or if you do develop shingles, reduce the severity of your symptoms. I strongly urge all those eligible to protect themselves by taking up the offer of a vaccine when they are contacted by their GP.”