Shingles Vaccine Programmelogo


The incidence of shingles increases with age, the severity of symptoms increases as individuals get older.  This is the second year of the shingles programme and is now being offered to a wider age range.

What is Shingles?

Shingles is a viral infection of the nerve cells that develops as a result of a chickenpox infection.  Once a person has recovered from chickenpox the virus lies dormant in the nerve cells and can reactivate at a later stage when the immune system is weakened.

What is the Purpose of the Programme?

The purpose of the programme is to reduce both the incidence and severity of shingles disease in adults aged 70 to 79 years of age.

Who is the Vaccine recommended for?

The vaccine will be offered routinely to adults aged 70 and 78 after September 2016.  The vaccine is still recommended  if a person has a previous history of shingles infection.

When can I book for the Vaccine?

If you are aged 70 and 78 years you will be contacted by the surgery after September to offer you an appointment.  You will be able to have your routine flu vaccine at the same time.  The surgery will also set up a dedicated clinic for the shingles vaccine, the dates of which are to follow. Patients who missed the previous campaign and are aged 71, 73 and 79 after 1.9.2016 are still eligible for vaccination. Please contact the surgery

Further information can be found at

Also via the ‘Links’ tab on our website by clicking on the Department of Health icon and typing shingles into the search box.