An extra one million people will be eligible for a free shingles vaccine under new NHS guidelines. Currently, only those aged over 70 can get the shingles vaccine (Shingrix vaccine). However, from September, those aged over 65 or are over 50 and immunocompromised will also be eligible for the jab.

The NHS has also committed to expanding availability to all people aged 60 and over by September 2028.

What is shingles?

Shingles is a painful skin rash that can develop after infection with the chicken pox virus. The rash looks like a strip of small blisters. While it can appear anywhere on the body, it is typically seen on one side of the torso.
After you have been infected with chicken pox, the virus (varicella-zoster virus) remains in your body for the rest of your life and enters the nervous system, where it can stay inactive for many years.

Sometimes the virus reactivates and can travel along the nerve pathways to the skin, producing the painful rash associated with shingles. Why this happens is unclear. However, it is thought to occur due to lowered immunity, which can occur as people get older, or other reasons when immunity may be compromised. Therefore, anyone who has ever had chicken pox can potentially develop shingles.

Around 9 in 10 people carry the chickenpox virus. Approximately 20% of those will develop shingles at some point in their lives, which is more common in people over 70.

Symptoms of shingles

Shingles usually affect only a small section of skin, typically only on one side of the body.

The red rash is characterised by small fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over (like those seen in chicken pox). The rash can be very painful and can feel like a burning or tingling sensation.

Some people will also experience fever, headaches, and tiredness.

Although shingles is not usually life-threatening, in some cases, it can cause blindness, hearing loss, and nerve pain, and in rare cases, it can be fatal to more vulnerable individuals.

The rash can take several weeks to heal; during this time, the virus can be passed on to anyone who has not yet had chickenpox, but people cannot pass shingles to others.

There is no cure for shingles; treatment focuses mainly on easing the symptoms, such as taking painkillers for the painful rash or fever, calamine lotion to soothe itchiness and cool the skin, etc.

The shingles vaccine

It is not always possible to prevent shingles. However, the vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of developing the illness or lessen the duration and severity of it. By expanding the shingles vaccine programme it is hoped that more people can be protected from the pain and discomfort of shingles and save lives.

Two doses of a vaccine called Shingrix will be offered, with a gap of eight weeks to six months between doses for the extremely vulnerable and a longer gap of 6 to 12 months for everyone else. The vaccine is thought to offer protection for around 5 years.

Get medical advice from 111 as soon as you suspect shingles

You may require medication to hasten your recovery and avoid long-term complications. This works best if taken within three days after the onset of your symptoms.

111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

Avoid certain groups of people 

Although you cannot spread shingles, others who have not had chickenpox before could catch it from you, as shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus.

So, try to avoid:

Pregnant women who have never had chickenpox

People who have a weaker immune system, such as those undergoing chemotherapy

Babies less than 1 month old—unless you gave birth to them—should be protected from the virus by your immune system.

The Shingles rash can form a cluster that only appears on one side of the body.The skin remains painful until after the rash has gone. (Source: WikiCommons)

Rachel Kayami