About shingles virus
Shingles is an infection of a nerve and the skin around it. The main symptom is a rash that develops into blisters looking similar to chicken pox.
It can happen at any age but it’s more common in the over 70s.
It usually lasts between 2 to 4 weeks. The older you are, the worse it can be. It can lead to complications, such as severe nerve pain, which can last for months or even years.
Around 1 in 4 adults will get shingles in their lifetime. Having the vaccine will reduce the risk of you developing shingles.
People with a weakened immune system are also at higher risk of shingles.
It is caused by the same virus as chickenpox (herpes varicella-zoster virus). After you get chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in your body. As you age, it can become re-activated and cause shingles.
You can catch it from someone else with shingles or from someone with chickenpox.
You can have shingles more than once but this is rare.
Shingles on University of Oxford
The shingles vaccine
The Shingrix vaccine gives protection against shingles.
You can make an appointment with your GP to receive the vaccine. It is free but your GP may charge you a consultation fee.
Shingrix is given in 2 doses, 6 to 12 months apart or 8 weeks to 6 months apart if you have a weakened immune system.
Shingrix information leaflet
Side effects
The following side effects are the most common:
- headache
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and/or stomach pain
- muscle pain
- pain, redness and swelling at the injection site.
- feeling tired, chills and fever
Other side effects include:
- itching where the injection is given
- generally feeling unwell
- swollen glands in the neck, armpit or groin
- joint pain
Who can have the vaccine
Most people will be offered shingles vaccine at age 60.
If you’re already over 60, you’ll be offered the vaccine at age 70.
If you missed out on the vaccine, contact your GP surgery.
The vaccine cannot be given to anyone over 80 as it isn’t as effective at this age.
If you have a weakened immune system, you can receive the vaccine from age 50 with no upper age limit. Contact your GP for more information.
There will be a catch up campaign for those age 61 to 69 over the next 8 years. When your age group becomes eligible you will receive a letter to invite you for your vaccine.
In 2024 the above ages are eligible only plus those who have not received a vaccine age 71 to 79.
If you've already had shingles
You can have the shingles vaccine even if you've already had shingles.
The vaccine will boost your immunity against further shingles attacks.
Who should not have the shingles vaccine
You should not have the shingles vaccine if you had a serious allergic reaction, an anaphylactic reaction, to a previous dose of shingles vaccine or chickenpox vaccine.
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