Shingles Vaccination

People have a 1 in 4 lifetime risk of contracting shingles. NHS vaccinate from the age of 65, but we can vaccinate from 50.

What is Shingles?

What is Shingles?

Shingles (also known as herpes zoster) is caused by the dormant chickenpox virus spreading to an area of skin served by one of the nerves. It causes a painful rash of fluid filled blisters. It can sometimes lead to serious problems such as long-lasting pain, hearing loss or blindness.


Shingles can occur at any age but the risk, severity and complications increase with age.


You can get shingles more than once, so it's important to get vaccinated even if you've had shingles before.

Shingles (also known as herpes zoster) is caused by the dormant chickenpox virus spreading to an area of skin served by one of the nerves. It causes a painful rash of fluid filled blisters. It can sometimes lead to serious problems such as long-lasting pain, hearing loss or blindness.


Shingles can occur at any age but the risk, severity and complications increase with age.


You can get shingles more than once, so it's important to get vaccinated even if you've had shingles before.

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Shingles vaccine

Shingrix

vaccine schedule

Two doses, 2-6 months apart

Shingles vaccine cost


£250 per dose




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Who is at risk of Shingles?

Who is at risk of Shingles?

Most of us had chickenpox when we were young, although some of us will not be aware that we’ve had it. After you have chickenpox, the virus remains dormant living in the nerves. For most of your life, you will not be aware of this, but from time to time the virus can come back and spread to the skin causing a disease called shingles.

Shingles does not spread as easily as chickenpox, but the fluid in the blisters does contain the chickenpox virus. So someone who is not immune to chickenpox can catch the infection if they are in contact with this fluid.


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back with red shingles rash and hand reaching around from right to scratch it
back with red shingles rash and hand reaching around from right to scratch it

How is shingles transmitted?

Most of us had chickenpox when we were young. After you have chickenpox, the virus remains dormant living in the nerves. For most of your life, you will not be aware of this, but from time to time the virus can come back and spread to the skin causing a disease called shingles.

Shingles does not spread as easily as chickenpox, but the fluid in the blisters does contain the chickenpox virus. So someone who is not immune to chickenpox can catch the infection if they are in contact with this fluid.

Most of us had chickenpox when we were young. After you have chickenpox, the virus remains dormant living in the nerves. For most of your life, you will not be aware of this, but from time to time the virus can come back and spread to the skin causing a disease called shingles.

Shingles does not spread as easily as chickenpox, but the fluid in the blisters does contain the chickenpox virus. So someone who is not immune to chickenpox can catch the infection if they are in contact with this fluid.

Most of us had chickenpox when we were young. After you have chickenpox, the virus remains dormant living in the nerves. For most of your life, you will not be aware of this, but from time to time the virus can come back and spread to the skin causing a disease called shingles.

Shingles does not spread as easily as chickenpox, but the fluid in the blisters does contain the chickenpox virus. So someone who is not immune to chickenpox can catch the infection if they are in contact with this fluid.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Can I get travel vaccinations from my NHS GP?

How long before travel should I book my travel vaccination appointment?

Do you vaccinate children?

Can I get travel vaccinations from my NHS GP?

How long before travel should I book my travel vaccination appointment?

Do you vaccinate children?

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Company Information

Company Reg - 03690523
Superintendent - Tirath Dosanj (2065385)

Stay in touch
Sign up for health news emails

Cookie policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

Company Information

Company Reg - 03690523
Superintendent - Tirath Dosanj (2065385)