Shingles is a painful illness caused by the same virus as chickenpox (varicella zoster). You can still contract shingles if you've had shingles previously, therefore, we should try to ensure that anyone eligible for the vaccination is able to receive it. The vaccination is a one-off treatment and doesn't need to be repeated.

Shingles may cause a painful rash and can be responsible for nerve pain that lasts for some time after the initial rash has disappeared. In the over 70's age group, around one in 1000 cases of shingles will prove to be fatal.

Who is eligible for the vaccination ?

Eligibility starts on your 70th birthday and you cease to be eligible once you turn 80. The campaign has been running for some years now, and eligibility has increases each year. This year, a small number of people aged 77 are the only ones not to be eligible (i.e. patients aged 77 who were born before 2nd September 1942). Patients who have been eligible at any point since they turned 70 are eligible until they turn 80 if they haven't yet received the vaccination. This applies in England, Scotland and Wales.