Vaccination for Shingles is changing in Wales – and across the UK, so that more people are eligible for the vaccine.

Between September 2023 and September 2033 the shingles vaccine will be offered in a phased approach to everyone in Wales aged 60 years old until their 80 birthday. From September 2023 those who are severely immunosuppressed (have a very weakened immune system because of a health condition or medical treatment) will be eligible and invited for the vaccine from the age of 50, with no upper age limit.

This change is based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Delivery will be implemented by GP surgeries in the recommended phased approach and patients will be contacted by their GP when they become eligible.

So from September, those who reach age 65 or 70 years should be called in on/after their 65th or 70th birthday.

Dr Chris Johnson, Head of the vaccine preventable disease programme, Public Health Wales said:
“Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus which causes chicken pox. Shingles is caused by a reactivation of an infection of a nerve and the skin around it which can be very painful.

Most people fully recover from shingles, but for some the pain can last for months or even years after. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is difficult to treat and can be extremely painful.
The older you are, the more likely you are to have PHN as a side effect of a shingles infection and this is an additional reason why the vaccine is offered to older adults.

Since 2013 eligible people in Wales have been offered the shingles vaccine as part of the routine programme to all those aged between 70 and 79 and we welcome the news that this is going to be increasingly expanded to lower age groups.”

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