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The shingles vaccine helps reduce your risk of developing shingles. If you do get shingles, it can reduce how serious the symptoms will be.
What's shingles?
Shingles is caused by a virus called varicella zoster, the same virus that causes chickenpox. When you recover from chickenpox most of this virus is destroyed, but some survives and lies inactive in your body’s nervous system.
The virus can then become active again later in life, when your immune system has been weakened by age, stress, illness or certain treatments that can reduce your immunity. The shingles vaccine helps to protect you by boosting your immunity.
Why should I be vaccinated?
The vaccine helps to protect against shingles.
Who is eligible for the vaccine?
People aged between 70 and 79 on 1 September 2022 are eligible in the NHS for the free shingles vaccine.
Do I need the shingles vaccine if I've never had chickenpox?
Yes. The chances are that you may have had chickenpox at some point without knowing it. Some people have chickenpox without displaying any of the typical chickenpox symptoms.
Do I need the shingles vaccine if I've had shingles before?
Yes. Even if you've already had shingles, you could still get it again. The vaccine will reduce your risk of getting shingles again.
What vaccine is used in the NHS?
The Zostavax vaccine is routinely used in Scotland.
This shingles vaccine contains a weakened form of the virus that causes shingles. Because it is weakened, it does not cause the illness. It helps to build up your immunity to the virus, so your body will fight it off more easily if it affects you again.
Source: NHS Inform
Shingles Vaccines
Zoxtovax - not available at GP Matters
This vaccine is now routinely offered in the NHS (Scotland) as a single injection to people aged 70.
People aged between 70 and 79 on 1 September 2022 are eligible for the free shingles vaccine.
Shingrix
Vaccine Course: 2 doses, 2 months apart
Vaccine Price £300 per dose (which includes the appointment fee)
Further information can be found at on the following link: Shingrix
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