Who can have the Shingles vaccine?

You are eligible for the shingles vaccine if you're aged 70 or 78 years old. You may then be eligible for a free shingles vaccination.

There is a 1 in 4 chance of developing shingles at some point during your life. A vaccine to prevent shingles, a common, painful skin disease is available on the NHS to people in their 70s.

Shingles is usually an uncomfortable and painful experience, but for some people, it may lead to nerve pain that lasts for weeks, months or sometimes even years.

If you are aged 70 or over, the chances of developing shingles increases, and the symptoms and complications tend to be more severe. In addition, anyone who was previously eligible but missed out on their shingles vaccination remains eligible until their 80th birthday.

If you were born in 1948 or 1940, then speak to your GP surgery about the shingles vaccination. You can have the shingles vaccination at any time of year, as soon as you turn 70 or 78. The shingles vaccine is not available on the NHS to anyone aged 80 or over because it seems to be less effective in this age group.

For further information on Shingles, please click here.