What you need to know about Shingles vaccines

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.

• People who turn 65 on or after 1 September 2023

  • From 1 September 2023, you're eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 65. 

  • You'll be offered 2 doses of the vaccine. These are given between 6 and 12 months apart.

  • Your GP should contact you to make an appointment to have your shingles vaccine. Contact your GP surgery if you think you're eligible for the shingles vaccine and you've not been contacted about it.

  • You'll remain eligible until your 80th birthday.

    • If you turned 65 before 1 September 2023, you'll be eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 70.

• People aged 70 to 79

  • Everyone aged 70 to 79 is eligible for the shingles vaccine.

  • Depending on the type of vaccine you have, you'll have either 1 dose or 2 doses (given between 6 and 12 months apart).

  • Contact your GP surgery if you missed your vaccine. You're eligible up until your 80th birthday.

• People aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system

  • You're eligible for the shingles vaccine if you're aged 50 or over and you're at higher risk from shingles because you have a severely weakened immune system.

    This includes:

    • some people with blood cancer (such as leukaemia or lymphoma)
    • some people with HIV or AIDS
    • some people who've recently had a stem cell transplant, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or an organ transplant
    • people taking certain medicines that severely weaken the immune system

    • You'll be given 2 doses of the shingles vaccine. These are given between 8 weeks and 6 months apart.

      Ask your GP or care team if you're not sure if you're eligible for the shingles vaccine.

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.

Shingles vaccine ingredients

There are 2 types of shingles vaccine given in the UK. You can check the ingredients in the patient leaflets:

• Shingrix vaccine patient leaflet (Electronic Medicines Compendium website; PDF only, 136kb) – given as 2 doses
• Zostavax vaccine patient leaflet (Electronic Medicines Compendium website) – given as 1 dose

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.

Speak to your GP surgery 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'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.

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.