Shingles vaccine
The shingles vaccine helps protect against shingles. It’s recommended for all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system.
What the shingles vaccine is for
Shingles is a common condition that causes a painful rash. It can sometimes lead to serious problems such as long-lasting pain, hearing loss or blindness.
You’re more likely to get shingles, and it’s more likely to cause serious problems, as you get older or if you have a severely weakened immune system.
The shingles vaccine helps:
- reduce your chances of getting shingles
- reduce your chances of getting serious problems if you do get shingles
Who should have the shingles vaccine
The shingles vaccine is recommended for some older adults and people with a severely weakened immune system.
Important
You can get shingles more than once, so it’s important to get vaccinated even if you’ve had shingles before.
Who cannot have the shingles vaccine
Most people who are eligible for the shingles vaccine can have it.
You only cannot have the vaccine if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine, or an ingredient in the vaccine.
One of the shingles vaccines (called Zostavax) contains a weakened version of the virus that causes shingles. This vaccine is not suitable if you have a severely weakened immune system so you’ll be given a different one (called Shingrix) instead.
Getting vaccinated if you’re unwell
If you have a high temperature or feel too unwell to do your normal activities, wait until you’re feeling better before having the vaccine.
Shingles vaccine ingredients
There are 2 types of shingles vaccine given in the UK. You can check the ingredients in the patient leaflets:
How to get the shingles vaccine
Your GP surgery will usually contact you when you become eligible for the shingles vaccine. This will usually be by letter, text message, phone or email.
Sometimes you might be offered the vaccine during a GP appointment you’re having for another reason.
Non-urgent advice: Speak to us if:
- you think you’re eligible for the shingles vaccine, but you’ve not been contacted
- you did not have the vaccine when you were contacted and you’re still under 80 (only people with a severely weakened immune system can get the vaccine after 80 years of age)
- you’ve had the shingles vaccine before but you now have a severely weakened immune system – depending on the type of shingles vaccine you had, you may need another shingles vaccine
- you’re due to have your vaccine and you’re feeling unwell – you may need to wait until you’re feeling better before having the vaccine
- you need to change your vaccination appointment
Your GP surgery can book or rearrange an appointment.
Having the shingles vaccine at the same time as other vaccines
You can usually have the shingles vaccine at the same time as other vaccines such as the flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine.
Side effects of the shingles vaccine
Most of the side effects of the shingles vaccine are mild and get better within 2 or 3 days.
They can include:
- swelling, itchiness, bruising or pain where the injection was given
- a headache
- an aching body
- feeling tired
- a high temperature
- shivering (chills)
More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction are very rare. The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
