Shingles Vaccine
NHS Orkney is encouraging those eligible to get vaccinated to help protect themselves from developing shingles and associated complications, highlighting the importance of coming forward for the shingles vaccination to those eligible.
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox and it can lie inactive after you recover from chickenpox. The virus can become active again in later life when someone has a weakened immune system due to age, stress, or other illnesses.
The shingles vaccine helps build up immunity, decreases the risk of developing shingles, and reduces how serious the symptoms would be if a vaccinated person develops shingles. Getting your vaccine, when invited, is the best way to help protect yourself against shingles.
The groups that are eligible for shingles vaccination are:
- People who were aged 65 or 70 on 1 September 2023
- 71 - 79 year olds not previously vaccinated
- Those aged 50 or over, about to start immunosuppressive therapy or with a severely weakened immune system
- Those aged 18 or over who have received a stem cell transplant
- Those aged 18 or over who have CAR-T therapy
Detailed information on the shingles vaccine, including eligibility, is available on the NHS inform website. It also has a useful age eligibility calculator, Shingles vaccine | NHS inform.
Anyone in Orkney who is currently eligible for the shingles vaccination has been invited. Letters to newly at-risk patients are also sent throughout the year. The NHS Orkney Vaccination Team delivers this service for the majority of Orkney residents. If you have missed your appointment or have any other queries, please call the Vaccination Team on 0300 303 5313. Please note that patients of Stromness Surgery and ferry linked isles surgeries provide this service to their patients.
The main symptom of shingles is pain followed by a rash, you can read more about the symptoms here, Shingles | NHS inform.