Who can have a shingles vaccine?
Shingles vaccine is available through the NHS in Wales for people aged:
- 65 (on or after 1 September 2023);
- 70 to 79 and
- 50 years and over who are severely immunosuppressed (have a very weakened immune system because of a health condition or medical treatment).
The shingles vaccine helps reduce your risk of getting shingles. If you do go on to have shingles after being vaccinated, your symptoms may be milder.
Ask at your GP surgery if you are eligible.
Is there anyone who should not have the shingles vaccination?
There are two shingles vaccines available in the UK – Zostavax and Shingrix. Zostavax contains a weakened version of the live shingles virus.
You shouldn't have the vaccine if you've had a serious allergic reaction, such as an anaphylactic reaction, in the past to any of its ingredients, such as neomycin (your GP can tell you if this applies to you).
Zostavax® is a live vaccine and should not be given to people who have a weakened immune system, (for example due to certain cancer treatments, blood disorders such as leukaemia or lymphoma, taking steroid tablets or you’ve had a transplant). If you think this may apply to you, discuss this with your hospital specialist, GP or practice nurse.
Your GP or practice nurse will check which shingles vaccine is suitable for you.
The shingles vaccine and other vaccines
You can have a shingles vaccine at any time of the year.
Most vaccines may be safely administered at the same time as shingles vaccine, the exception is:
- MMR and Zostavax® - In the rare event that MMR vaccine is indicated in this age group these vaccines should be administered on the same day or with a four-week minimum interval.
Your GP or practice nurse will be able to check the required intervals if you have recently had any other vaccinations
Leaflets
Click here to see all vaccination leaflets.
Last Updated: 17/02/2022 16:09:17
The information on this page has been adapted by NHS Wales from original content supplied by
NHS website
nhs.uk