By having the shingles vaccine, you cut the risk of developing shingles.
If you get shingles later, the symptoms will be milder and the illness will be shorter than if you didn’t have the vaccination.
You get the vaccine in your upper arm. Most people will need two doses, usually at least six months apart.
If you have a weakened immune system, then your second dose should be at least two months after your first dose.
People who are eligible for the vaccine
Your GP will contact you and invite you for vaccination if you are in any of the following groups:
- aged 65 on 1 September 2023 and born between 2 September 1957 and 1 September 1958
- aged 70 on 1 September 2023 and born between 2 September 1952 and 1 September 1953
- aged 50 or over on 1 September 2023 and have a severely weakened immune system (sometimes known as ‘severely immunosuppressed’)
